«People who are guilty ask for a pardon. I am not guilty. There are no elements of a criminal offense in my case. I did not ask for either an apology or a pardon,» he said.

According to Zhetigen, he was twice offered the opportunity to apply for a pardon, but he refused.

Askat Zhetigen also told journalists about his health and alleged cases of torture in the prison.

He said he had not personally been subjected to torture. However, he claimed that such incidents had occurred involving other inmates serving sentences at the facility who need assistance.

«I was not personally subjected to torture. But there have been such cases involving many inmates serving sentences in the prison. These are people no one knows about, and they need help. People should know about this; it should reach the public,» Zhetigen said. He added that he could not remain indifferent and had written about the incidents in his letters.

Askat Zhetigen was released today, August 19, after serving a three-year prison sentence.

The akyn was detained in March 2024 and charged under articles concerning calls for mass disorder and public calls for the seizure of power.

On July 1, 2024, Sverdlovsky District Court of Bishkek acquitted Zhetigen of charges of calling for mass disorder but found him guilty under Article 327 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic «Public Calls for the Violent Seizure of Power,» and sentenced him to three years in prison.

The Bishkek City Court upheld the verdict. In March 2025, the Supreme Court finally upheld the decisions of the lower courts.