The Progressive Alliance condemns the seven-year prison sentence handed down on 8 October 2026 to Temirlan Sultanbekov, leader of the Social Democrats of Kyrgyzstan and a member of the Progressive Alliance Board, and the four-year sentence handed down to Kadyr Atambayev of the Social Democrats.
The trial at Bishkek’s Pervomaisky District Court was held behind closed doors, although the defence asked for public hearings. The evidence that has now sent two Social Democrats to prison was never tried in public.
In 2025, the Board of the Progressive Alliance already expressed its concern over the systematic persecution of the Social Democrats in Kyrgyzstan and called for an open trial in the case of Temirlan Sultanbekov and the Social Democrats. Today, this further deterioration in Kyrgyzstan’s respect for political freedoms and the rule of law is plain to see.
This verdict follows a pattern we have raised since November 2024. Mr. Sultanbekov was detained on the eve of local elections. His party’s candidates were struck from the ballot. Restrictions were placed on his freedom of movement. Each step has narrowed the space for the opposition.
The persecution of opposition leaders erodes public trust and undermines the legitimacy of the electoral process. With a presidential election due in January 2027, the imprisonment of an opposition party leader sends a chilling message to every citizen who wants to take part in Kyrgyzstan’s political life.
The Progressive Alliance calls on the authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic to:
Release Temirlan Sultanbekov and Kadyr Atambayev;
Guarantee that any appeal is heard in open court, in line with Kyrgyzstan’s international human rights obligations;
End the persecution of the Social Democrats and lift the unlawful restrictions imposed on party members.
We call on the international community to lend its voice to these demands. The Progressive Alliance stands in full solidarity with Temirlan Sultanbekov, Kadyr Atambayev, their families, and all citizens of Kyrgyzstan who stand for democracy and justice.
