Jamila Dzhamanbaeva, the ombudsman of Kyrgyzstan, has called on government authorities to take stricter measures against domestic violence. This call came in response to a horrific incident in the Talas region, where a 28-year-old woman suffered serious burns to 60% of her body after her husband doused her with gasoline and set her on fire.
This tragedy occurred back in October of last year in the village of Boo-Terek in the Bakai-Ata district. The victim's mother reported that on that day her drunken son-in-law, after a quarrel and beatings, began looking for an axe, threatening violence. Not finding it, he returned with a canister of gasoline. While the mother was sheltering her frightened children in a neighboring room, the man carried out his threat. The woman ignited instantly, and only thanks to passersby who heard her screams was she taken to the hospital.
During the investigation by the Ombudsman Institute, it was revealed that the husband's family attempted to cover up the crime. While the victim was in intensive care, relatives claimed it was an "accident while lighting the stove." However, months later, when her husband began to beat her again, she found the courage to tell her mother the truth and asked for help.
Currently, the victim is in Bishkek with her two children. She requires long-term rehabilitation and psychological assistance. It is known that the suspect is a 32-year-old employee of the Talas city hall. The case has been transferred to the Bakai-Ata district police department, and an official investigation has been initiated. Jamila Dzhamanbaeva has taken the situation under her control, demanding strict punishment for the perpetrator. She noted that impunity breeds new acts of violence and that law enforcement must demonstrate that the law can protect women in Kyrgyzstan.
