The human rights organization Freedom of Eurasia expresses deep concern over reports of torture and inhumane treatment of Tilekmat Kurenov (Kudaibergen), who was unlawfully extradited by the United Arab Emirates to the Kyrgyz Republic, despite holding asylum seeker status recognized by the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).
According to credible information received, psychological, moral, and physical pressure is being exerted on Kurenov by officers of the detention facility. Between September 26 and September 29, 2025, he was held in a punishment cell under inhumane conditions. He is subjected to constant insults, provocation, and humiliation.
According to the information shared with us, еwo conditions were set before Tilikmat:
- to publicly apologize to the Kyrgyz authorities;
- to return his family (wife and children) to Kyrgyzstan from abroad where they are seeking asylum.
After he refused to comply, an additional criminal charge was added Article 326 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic (“Violent seizure of power”), which carries a sentence of ten to fifteen years in prison with confiscation of property.
Kurenov is also charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code:
- Article 278 — Mass riots, punishable by five to ten years of imprisonment;
- Article 327 — Public calls for the violent seizure of power, punishable by up to five years of imprisonment;
- Article 330 — Incitement of racial, ethnic, national, religious or interregional hatred, punishable by up to seven years of imprisonment.
According to Kurenov, during his extradition from the UAE, the Kyrgyz authorities assured the Emirati side that he would not be subjected to torture or ill-treatment. However, according to his testimony, these assurances have not been fulfilled.
We remind the Kyrgyzstan authorities that the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment is an absolute international legal obligation, and its violation is unacceptable under any circumstances.
Freedom of Eurasia calls on competent international bodies to take the case of Tilekmat Kurenov under close monitoring and to conduct an independent investigation into the reports of torture and human rights violations in Tilekmat Kurenov’s case.