Askhat Zhetigen, a poet, accused the administration of colony No. 27 of cruel treatment and threats. According to him, the pressure on him increased after he reported corruption and serious violations in the institution to the ombudsman’s commission. The letter from the prisoner was posted by human rights activist Gulshaiyr Abdirasulova.
In his appeal, Zhetigen calls for protection and wide publicity, considering the actions of the administration a gross violation of human rights. He stated that on March 2, 2026, the head of the operational department named Ulan unlawfully placed him in a punishment cell, responding to a question about the reasons with threats.
“Ulan stated that he would ‘return me to my previous harsh living conditions’ and made a false accusation of ‘agitation of prisoners.’ This is completely untrue. I have never supported criminal elements, as everyone knows. Interestingly, the employee who drew up the act regarding my placement in the punishment cell could not even explain the reasons for his decision,” the poet noted in the letter.
The prisoner believes that the real reason for his persecution is that he drew attention to numerous violations by the administration.
Since the beginning of April 2025, according to Zhetigen, the coal allocated for heating has been used by the colony staff for personal needs.
“No less than four times a week, from evening until morning, they heat the bathhouse for themselves. This abuse has been going on for a year. Furthermore, for access to the gym, the staff charges 2000 soms, restricting the prisoners' rights to engage in sports. The employees themselves use the gym without any restrictions, even during working hours,” reports Askhat Zhetigen.
He also claims that the offices of the leaders, as well as the dining room, kitchen, bathhouse, and gym, were renovated with money collected from the prisoners. Last week, when the ombudsman’s commission visited the colony, the poet shared these facts.
“During the conversation, the head of the operational service, Ulan, tried to conceal the violations, which led to a heated argument between us. The intervention of the ombudsman’s representative helped stop his unlawful actions. This employee is known for his rudeness and cruelty. Every time before the arrival of commissions, prisoners are forced to say that ‘everything is fine,’” the appeal states.
Zhetigen notes that those who try to speak the truth are subjected to brutal beatings, humiliation, and forced into hard labor.
He emphasizes that the colony staff effectively tortures and mocks the prisoners, which forces many to remain silent out of fear. The day after the commission's visit, the head of the operational department gathered the prisoners and began to openly threaten them.
“He said: ‘The commission will be here for only one day, and then you will be left with me. I will show you! When the fasting month ends, I will arrange a new regime for you. I have enough spirit for this.’ After that, direct threats began. My stay in the punishment cell is revenge for daring to contradict the chief and for telling the truth during the inspection,” the prisoner emphasizes.
Askhat Zhetigen also added that the conditions of his detention in the isolation cell are being violated: he was not taken out for lunch and spent more than an hour in the rain in the exercise yard.
“In light of the above, I ask you to make this information public as soon as possible and to initiate prompt measures from law enforcement agencies to ensure my protection,” he concludes in a letter to the lawyer.
- Askhat Zhetigen is a poet and civil activist sentenced to three years for calls for mass riots and seizure of power. A criminal case against him was initiated in March 2024 after he published video appeals on social media criticizing the actions of the authorities.
