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Ten years ago, a wave of unrest and violence against the Uzbek minority swept through Kyrgyzstan. A divided society continues to bear the consequences. “We used to live well, there were a lot of flowers in our house,” recalls the wife of imprisoned activist Azimzhan Askarov, who wanted to help catch the perpetrators of the anti-Uzbek purges that took place in 2010. He decided to document the damage to his property and that of his fellow citizens in order to help get justice. He paid for it with a show trial and ten years in prison. International human rights organisations did not stop advocating for his release, and he became a hero for the Uzbek minority. His wife and other loved ones long held on to hope. However, as Azimzhan approached his 70s it became clear that time was running out. And that the coronavirus pandemic threatening Kyrgyz prisons could be the last straw. (One World)
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