The General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption (GKNB) detained the famous musician Askat Zhetigen. The news was confirmed by his lawyer, Venera Buudaibekova, to Radio Azattyk. Zhetigen was brought to Bishkek and placed in a temporary detention facility for 48 hours.
Reportedly, the GKNB suspected Zhetigen of inciting to seize power due to his video appeals and initiated a criminal case against him in 2022. Zhetigen was questioned multiple times in connection with this. According to Buudaibekova, the investigator cited the results of an expertise conducted on his statements as the basis for his arrest.
Earlier, Zhetigen published a video where he criticized a recent interview by President Sadyr Japarov, using explicit language. He mentioned that despite years of attempting to secure a meeting with the head of state to discuss increased funding for the cultural sector during his time at the Ministry of Culture, he was never granted an audience.
Askat Zhetigen is a renowned musician, composer, and player of the traditional Kyrgyz string instrument, the komuz. At the age of 18, he led the folklore and ethnographic ensemble "Ordo Sahna," performing in over 20 countries.
