EU emphasizes importance of clarification of circumstances of human rights defender Askarov's death

AKIPRESS.COM - The European Union expressed condolences to human rights defender Azimzhan Askarov's family and friends on his death. "The EU had followed the judicial process against Mr. Askarov since his arrest in 2010. On the basis of the opinion of the UN Human Rights Committee, we had expressed repeatedly our opinion on the court proceedings and had called for Mr. Askarov's release," spokesperson of the European External Action Service said.
"The EU had shared with Kyrgyz authorities its concerns about his deteriorating health. We strongly regret that despite the calls for his release on humanitarian grounds, Mr. Askarov has died in prison," the statement said.
"It is important that the circumstances of his death, and the conditions in which he was held in the final months of his life are clarified," the statement concluded.
Azimzhan Askarov died in prison on July 2.5 He was handed life sentence for participation in mass disorders, incitement of ethnic hatred, murder of police officer and injuring police officers during ethnic violence in June 2010 in Bazar-Korgon district.