The human rights activist regularly appealed to the administration of the pre-trial detention center with requests to be allowed to contact her family, but to no avail. "Today, February 20, I filed a lawsuit in the Bishkek Administrative Court against the leadership of the State Penitentiary Service and the pre-trial detention center No. 1. My goal is to hold them accountable," she said.
Karasartova emphasized that the law gives inmates the opportunity to communicate with their loved ones in the presence of a staff member, but this provision is ignored. "What is the difference between officials and ordinary citizens? They are obliged to follow the laws. If a law passed 20 years ago is not working, why is it needed? As a human rights defender, I appealed for five months and received neither a response nor the opportunity to exercise my right. Now, after my release, I decided to contact the State Penitentiary Service, as the pre-trial detention center is under their control. The Deputy Head of the State Penitentiary Service, Sarchayev, claimed that all detainees can communicate with their relatives by phone, but I visited the pre-trial detention center twice and was unable to make a call even once. Now I am waiting for a response in court regarding why the legally guaranteed rights are not being fulfilled," she noted.
In her opinion, it is important to raise this issue to inform the public, as many are unaware of their legal rights in such situations.
She also added: "No one expects their loved one to end up in a pre-trial detention center, but if it happens, people should have the opportunity to get information about the health status of their relatives. For example, in winter, when we were in the pre-trial detention center, many fell ill with the flu, and there was no anti-flu medication. I had the opportunity to pass on medicines, and I shared them with others, but if detainees had the chance to call, they could have asked for help." Karasartova believes that this is not just a violation of rights, but also a form of business, and she intends to put an end to it.
The editorial team of Kaktus.media requested a comment from the State Penitentiary Service.
Recall that in September 2025, Rita Karasartova was found guilty under Articles 278 "Mass Riots" and 327 "Public Calls for Violent Seizure of Power" of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic and was sentenced to five years of probation.
Karasartova also announced her intention to appeal the decision of the city court in the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic.
