Poet Askat Zhetigen has made a statement about cruel treatment and threats in colony No. 27. He reported that he began to face pressure after informing the ombudsman’s commission about corruption and other violations in the prison. A letter addressed to his lawyer, Nurbek Akbar, was published by human rights activist Gulshaiyr Abdirasulova.
In his address, Zhetigen emphasized the need for protection and widespread publicity of what is happening, considering the actions of the administration as a gross violation of human rights. He pointed out that on March 2, 2026, the head of the operational department of the colony, Ulan, placed him in a punishment cell without legal grounds, and when asked about the reasons for his decision, responded with threats.
“He threatened me that he would ‘return the previous harsh living conditions’ and made false accusations of inciting the convicted. This is absolute untruth. I have never supported the criminal world, and everyone knows that. The employee who drew up the report on my placement in the punishment cell could not even specify the reason for the violation,” the poet noted in his letter.
In his opinion, the true reason for the persecution is his disclosure of numerous violations by the colony administration.
Zhetigen also added that starting from April 2025, the coal allocated by the state for heating the living quarters of prisoners is being misused.
“At least four times a week, from evening until morning, the staff heats the bathhouse for their own leisure. Such abuses among the staff have been ongoing for a year. Furthermore, for visiting the gym, the staff demands a fee of 2,000 soms, which restricts the rights of the convicted to engage in sports. At the same time, the staff themselves use the gym without restrictions, even during working hours,” claims Askat Zhetigen.
The letter also states that the offices of the squad leaders, as well as some areas of the dining room, kitchen, bathhouse, mosque, and gym have been renovated using funds collected from the convicts. Last week, when representatives of the ombudsman visited the colony, the poet informed them about these facts.
“During the conversation, the head of the operational service, Ulan, tried to conceal the violations, which led to a conflict between us. The intervention of the ombudsman’s representative helped stop his unlawful actions. This employee is known for his rudeness and cruelty. Every time before the visits of commissions, the convicts are forced to say that ‘everything is fine,’” the address states.
According to Zhetigen, those who dare to speak the truth face brutal beatings, humiliation, placement in punishment cells, and coercion to hard and dirty work.
He emphasizes that the staff are effectively torturing and humiliating people, which causes many to be intimidated and silent. The day after the visit of the ombudsman’s representatives, the head of the operational department gathered all the convicts and began to openly threaten them.
“He said: ‘The commission will be here for only a day, and then you will stay with me. I will show you! When the fasting month ends, I will arrange a different regime for you. I have enough spirit for that.’ After that, pressure and threats began. My current placement in the punishment cell is revenge for not being afraid to contradict the head of the operational department and for telling the truth to the inspection,” emphasizes the convict.
Askat Zhetigen reported that the conditions of his detention in the isolation cell are currently being grossly violated: he was not taken out for lunch and was kept in the exercise yard for more than an hour in the rain.
“In light of the above, I ask you to urgently publicize this information about the violations and initiate an operational response from law enforcement agencies to provide me with protection and assistance,” he concluded in his letter to the lawyer.
- Askat Zhetigen is a well-known poet and civil activist who was sentenced to three years in prison on charges of inciting mass riots and seizing power. The criminal prosecution began in March 2024 after his video appeals on social media, where he criticized the actions of the authorities.
