Activist Zarina Torokulova has had her sentence changed to detention in the courtroom. This was reported by the lawyer Akmat Alagushev. The activist was previously found guilty of committing a crime under Article 278, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic. She was sentenced to five years of imprisonment with three years of probation. The prosecution filed an appeal, while the defense did not contest the verdict.
The accusation against Torokulova stemmed from two posts on the "Umair Aruu" Facebook account, one stating "Japarov mafia" and the other calling for an online rally. These posts were in connection to journalist Olzhobai Shakir, who was arrested on August 23, 2023, for allegedly inciting disobedience to law enforcement, mass disorder, and attempted seizure of power.
Shakir had previously called on citizens to protest against the transfer of four resorts on Lake Issyk-Kul to Uzbekistan. The situation has sparked controversy and legal proceedings, with Torokulova's case now taking a new turn with the decision to detain her. The defense plans to appeal the verdict in the Supreme Court through the cassation procedure, as confirmed by Akmat Alagushev.
