The Party of European Socialists (PES), which includes parties such as the Social Democratic Party of Germany and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, together with the Socialist International, jointly responded to the court verdicts handed down against Temirlan Sultanbekov, leader of the Social Democrats party, and his deputy Kadyrbek Atambaev.

Condemnation of the verdicts and concern over the rule of law

In its statement, PES said it strongly condemned the seven-year prison sentence handed to Sultanbekov, as well as the four-year prison sentence for Atambaev.

Political opponents must not be silenced through criminal prosecution. The closed nature of the proceedings and the serious questions surrounding this case raise deep concern about the state of the rule of law and democratic space in Kyrgyzstan.
PES statement

Both organizations called for the release of both political figures and expressed solidarity with the Social Democrats and all those who uphold democratic principles and political pluralism in the country.

The Socialist International's position

The Socialist International also condemned the verdicts, stressing that the defendants deny the charges brought against them. According to its information, the charges concerned alleged preparations for mass unrest and a violent seizure of power after the parliamentary elections in November 2025.

  • The trial was held behind closed doors
  • The defendants categorically rejected the charges brought against them

Context

Temirlan Sultanbekov is the leader of the Social Democrats party in the Kyrgyz Republic. Kadyrbek Atambaev is the deputy leader of the party.