Akbar Ryskulov explains why he signed the “Letter of 75”

Kyrgyzstan’s national poet and diplomat Akbar Ryskulov told journalists he signed the “Letter of 75” because he saw it as an ordinary appeal focused on the country’s economic development and social stability.

Ryskulov gave evidence as a witness at a hearing of the Bishkek City Court in the case surrounding the letter. The appeal addressed President Sadyr Japarov and then parliamentary speaker Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu, proposing early presidential elections.

“I read the letter, and it said there was a need to develop the economy and maintain stability in society. There was no hidden motive,” Ryskulov said. “Nobody urged me to sign it. I saw the letter on a billiard table.”

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I read the letter, and it said there was a need to develop the economy and maintain stability in society. There was no hidden motive.

He said people often approached him with different letters, including requests to support poets and creative work or appeals related to awards. For that reason, he said, he did not see anything suspicious in the document.

Two other signatories, public figures Kemel Ashyraliev and Shamshybek Medetbekov, were also summoned as witnesses. Earlier testimony came from former Deputy Prime Minister Tokon Mamytov, prominent doctor Zhuman Akimaliev, former Prime Minister Tursunbek Chyngyshev and public figure Naken Kasiev.

On July 2, Bishkek’s Pervomaisky District Court convicted former State Committee for National Security chief Kamchybek Tashiev, former parliamentary speaker Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu, former Prosecutor General Kurmankul Zulushev and five other signatories of violent seizure of power. The court imposed four-year prison sentences and three years of probation, allowing them to remain free. Prosecutors and defendants appealed, and the case is now being reviewed by the Bishkek City Court.

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Nobody urged me to sign it. I saw the letter on a billiard table.