Bishkek
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Demonstrators in Kyrgyz Republic Arrested for Participating in Global Day of Action for Iran
(July 25, 2009) Eight human rights defenders who were planning to hold a protest in front of the Iranian Embassy in the city of Bishkek in Kyrgyz Republic were arrested today. The demonstrators had assembled on a sidewalk, walking towards the Iranian Embassy. As they approached the main street leading to the embassy a group of policemen, who were apparently expecting them, detained all of them. As of this writing, 8:30 a.m. GMT, the detainees were held in a local police station and were due to be arraigned in a court. It is not clear under what article of the law they have been detained.
United4Iran, who has called for worldwide rallies to show solidarity with the people of Iran in over a hundred cities on July 25, deplores the actions of the Kyrgyz government denying its citizens the right to peaceful assembly.
United4Iran called on the Kyrgyz authorities to immediately release all the detainees. The names of the detainees are:
1. Tolekan Ismailova, Director of human rights center “Citizens Against Corruption”
2. Baijumanova Aida, national coordinator “Citizens Against Corruption”
3. Shaihutdinov Timur, Youth and Student rights Advocacy Council of Ombudsmen.
4. Diana Makembaeva, coordinator of human rights film festival, “Citizens Against Corruption”
5. Krapivina Evgeniya, lawyer
6. Imankulova Erkingul, Public Association “Karek”
7. Arykova Umutay, human rights activist
8. Urmat Kyzy Mirgul, activist
