Family questions 'suicide' of Kyrgyz serviceman
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 3 August 2011 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Family questions 'suicide' of Kyrgyz serviceman, 3 August 2011, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4e4a29232.html [accessed 27 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 03, 2011
Hazing and other dangerous forms of harassment have proven a problem in Kyrgyzstan's military. (file photo)
BISHKEK – Relatives of a Kyrgyz soldier who died during border duty in northern Kyrgyzstan last week say they do not believe an official suggestion that he committed suicide, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
Military officials said this week that Erlan Mamytov killed himself on July 29.
But Mamytov's aunt, Gulgakky Maldybaeva, told RFE/RL that his relatives think he was murdered.
She did not elaborate, but said the family has hired a lawyer and asked the NGO Soldiers' Mothers to investigate the circumstances of his death.
Hazing in the military is a persistent problem across much of the former Soviet Union, often leading to deaths, suicides, or serious injuries.
Border Guard Service spokeswoman Salkyn Abdykarieva confirmed to RFE/RL that Mamytov was found dead in his military unit on July 29.
She added that a special commission chaired by Border Guard Service Commander Zakir Tilenov has been set up to investigate Mamytov's death.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
