Torture and extortion: former head of temporary detention centre detained in Issyk-Kul region

The former head of the district police temporary detention centre has been detained in the Issyk-Kul region on suspicion of extortion and torture of detainees. This was reported by the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the investigation is ongoing.

The State Committee for National Security has uncovered serious violations of the law by employees of the Issyk-Kul District Police Department. At the centre of the criminal case is the former head of the temporary detention centre, police major T.K.A.

According to the investigation, abusing his official position, he threatened the detained citizen M.K. with physical violence and demanded money from him. In return, he promised more comfortable conditions of detention in the temporary detention centre. After the detainee refused to hand over the money, T.K.A., together with other police officers, used physical violence against him, causing him bodily harm.

After the extortion and torture were uncovered, the former head of the temporary detention centre resigned from the internal affairs agencies of his own accord. However, he was soon detained and placed in the temporary detention centre of the Karakol City Internal Affairs Department.

The investigation is currently looking into the possible involvement of other officials of the Issyk-Kul District Internal Affairs Department in the extortion and torture.