Azimzhan Askarov was an ethnic Uzbek Kyrgyzstani political activist who founded the group Vozduh in 2002 to investigate police brutality.
20 Facts About Azimzhan Askarov
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Azimzhan Askarov was arrested and prosecuted on charges of creating mass disturbances, incitement of ethnic hatred, and complicity in murder.
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In November 2010, Azimzhan Askarov's health was reported to be rapidly deteriorating as a result of his confinement.
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On 12 July 2016, the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan revoked the life sentence against Azimzhan Askarov and sent his case to the Chui Oblast Court for review.
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Azimzhan Askarov was resentenced for life on 24 January 2017.
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Azimzhan Askarov was born on 17 May 1951, in the village Bazar-Korgon, Kyrgyzstan.
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Azimzhan Askarov was married to Hadicha Askarova and they had three sons.
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Martin Sheen 8.
Azimzhan Askarov worked as a human rights activist since the mid-1990s.
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Azimzhan Askarov then distributed the video to international media and accused the Kyrgyz military of complicity in the killings.
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Azimzhan Askarov was arrested on 15 June 2010 in Bazar-Korgon.
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Azimzhan Askarov was tried along with other human rights activists before a court in the Nooken District of the Jalal-Abad Province.
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Azimzhan Askarov himself testified that he had been beaten and tortured while in police custody, and his lawyer reported that Azimzhan Askarov had further bruises on his back.
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On 10 November 2010, Azimzhan Askarov's sentence was upheld by an appellate court.
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Two days later, Amnesty International reported that Azimzhan Askarov's health was failing rapidly; he was moved from his prison hospital to a hospital in Bishkek.
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Azimzhan Askarov insisted on the review of his case in the Kyrgyz legislature.
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Azimzhan Askarov's cause has been championed by American actor Martin Sheen.
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In May 2011, an exhibition of Azimzhan Askarov's paintings opened in Bishkek, organized by his wife and various Kyrgyz human rights organizations.
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In 2012, Azimzhan Askarov won the International Press Freedom Award of the Committee to Protect Journalists.
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Azimzhan Askarov died on 25 July 2020, one day after being hospitalized with pneumonia.
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Azimzhan Askarov was 69, and suffered from a heart condition and other chronic illnesses in the time leading up to his death.