DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON KYRGYZ EXTRADITION OF UZBEK

C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000604 SIPDIS DEPT FOR DRL/NESCA AND SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2018 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF PREL KG SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON KYRGYZ EXTRADITION OF UZBEK ASYLUM SEEKER REF: A. STATE 61437 ¶B. BISHKEK 504 Classified By: Acting DCM Robert Burgess, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) A/DCM delivered reftel demarche on June 11 to Askhat Ryskuklov, Counselor in the Western Countries Department of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A/DCM expressed serious concern over the May 14 extradition to Uzbekistan of Erkin Holikov, an Uzbek asylum seeker who was in prison in Kyrgyzstan, and requested an explanation of the events that led to Holikov's extradition. Ryskulov was aware of the incident, but did not know the details of the case. He said he would pass our concerns to senior officials at the ministry, and he undertook to gather further information about the incident. ¶2. (SBU) Post will follow up with the MFA for any further information on the incident. LITZENBERGER