Statement

Today, the Vice-President of Socialist International and leader of the Social Democrats of Kyrgyzstan, Temirlan Sultanbekov and Kadyrbek Atambayev have been sentenced to long prison sentences, without an open and public trial.

This isn’t the first irregular incarceration of these two men and IUSY condemns the sentencing of Temirlan Sultanbekov, Kadyrbek Atambayev by the Bishkek District Court in the strongest terms and demands transparent proceedings and an open, public trial. Temirlan has been sentenced to seven years in prison, Kadyrbek has been sentenced to four years in prison. These sentences also include the forcible confiscation of their property and would bar them from participating in democratic proceedings in the future.

This trial and conviction isn’t the first time that Temirlan and Kadyrbek have been denied due process. Both defendants have always denied all the charges filed against them by the prosecution, which among others include preparing a forcible seizure of power after the November 2025 parliamentary elections. The trial took place behind closed doors, denying any requests made by the defence for public hearings and proceedings, with it killing all chances for a transparent and fair trial.

These events showcase all the characteristics of a politically motivated prosecution with the goal of silencing potential opposition forces in Kyrgyzstan in the last period before the upcoming presidential election in the start of 2027.

The International Union of Socialist Youth will always stand in full support of our comrades Temirlan Sultanbekov, Kadyrbek Atambayev, their families and all members of the Social Democrats in Kyrgyzstan who have been unjustly targeted. We will closely follow their appeal process and call on the Bishkek City Court and the authorities of Kyrgyzstan to make sure that this appeal will be open, public and will meet the international standards of due process. We also call on the Kyrgyzstan authorities to release everyone that has been incarcerated for their political activities.

IUSY will follow the situation and democratic backsliding in Kyrgyzstan with a vigilant eye and call on our partners to do the same. Democratic powers must and will prevail!