In a recently received letter addressed to his family, Kyrgyz civil society activist Tilekmat Kurenov disclosed details of his detention in the United Arab Emirates and subsequent unlawful transfer to Kyrgyzstan, confirming serious violations of international law.
In April 2025, Kurenov disappeared from Dubai after Kyrgyz authorities had spent months unsuccessfully seeking his extradition from the United Arab Emirates. A coalition of international human rights organisations reported that he was a main target in a criminal investigation into opposition activists, with authorities pursuing charges of calling for and preparing mass riots and attempting to seize power.
According to the letter, on April 10, 2025, Kurenov was detained in Dubai by officers of the UAE’s Criminal Investigation Department. Instead of being subjected to an official extradition process, he was handed over to unidentified individuals who held him for eight days in a basement without access to a lawyer or any official notification. Kurenov does not know who these people were.On April 18, 2025, Kurenov was forcibly transported to Kyrgyzstan aboard a private plane from Abu Dhabi, outside of any legal procedures—an act that constitutes an unlawful rendition.
Following his disappearance, fellow activist Rita Karasartova published a letter from Kurenov on her personal Facebook page, which he had asked to be shared in the event of his disappearance. Shortly after, Karasartova was detained by Kyrgyz authorities, who claimed she had close ties with Kurenov and accused her of making calls for active disobedience and mass riots.
On April 19, the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan confirmed his arrival in Bishkek and stated that Kurenov had been on the international wanted list on charges of inciting mass unrest and attempting to seize power by force. However, the authorities did not disclose under which legal or international procedures Kurenov was transferred to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
On April 21, the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek ruled to place Kurenov in pre-trial detention until May 19, 2025, pending investigation.
Today, May 14, as he arrived for an appeal hearing against the detention order, journalists recorded footage showing Kurenov limping and using a cane. Authorities stated that this was due to a flare-up of an old hernia and denied rumors of beatings. However, considering the circumstances of Kurenov’s transfer to Kyrgyzstan and visible signs of possible mistreatment in footage from April 21, Freedom for Eurasia does not rule out the possibility of torture.
