In Kyrgyzstan, the high-profile «Case of 75» has concluded. The main defendants in the case were Kamchybek Tashiev, former chairman of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) of Kyrgyzstan, Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu, former speaker of Parliament, and Kurmankul Zulushev, former prosecutor general.
All three were sentenced to four years in prison, with their property ordered confiscated. However, the court placed them on probation. The other five defendants who had been in custody since February: Aaly Karashev, Bekbolot Talgarbekov, Kurmanbek Dyikanbaev, Kursan Asanov and Emilbek Uzakbaev — were released in the courtroom immediately after the verdict was announced.
It’s worth noting that Tashiev, who was charged with two counts: «Preparing to violently seize power» and «Abuse of power,» will not serve his sentence in prison, as the court found Tashiev not guilty of the second count.
Even though Tashiev didn’t manage to defend himself against the charge of preparing for the violent seizure of power, the court placed him on three-year probation. Therefore, Tashiev will not serve his prison sentence. According to the court’s verdict, his property is subject to confiscation, though.
The ruling is not final and may be appealed. It is worth noting that immediately after the hearing, Ikramidin Aitkulov, Tashiev’s lawyer, announced his intention to appeal the verdict. Baktybek Zhumashev, the lawyer for the former prosecutor general, also said he intended to appeal, as his client disagreed with the outcome of the hearing.
Context
The criminal prosecution stems from a collective appeal (the «letter of 75 aksakals») published on Feb. 9. The document demanded early presidential elections due to disputes over President Sadyr Japarov’s term in office. The Interior Ministry said the letter amounted to an attempt to destabilize the country in preparation for a coup.
