Kyrgyz Rights Activist Deported By Russia, Arrested On Hatred Charge

The State Committee for National Security said that Bekiev was charged and placed in pretrial detention after he was deported back to Kyrgyzstan.

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz activist Emil Bekiev, who was deported from Russia, has been arrested in Bishkek on a charge of inciting racial, ethnic, and religious hatred.

The State Committee for National Security (UKMK) said in a statement on September 7 that Bekiev was charged and placed in UKMK's pretrial detention the day after he was returned to Kyrgyzstan.

According to the UKMK, Bekiev regularly placed "provocative statements inciting hatred" on Facebook.

Earlier in March, a court in the Russian Urals city of Chelyabinsk annulled Bekiev's Russian citizenship due to "multiple violations of legislation of the Russian Federation and his anti-Russian activities."

A Moscow court ordered him to be deported after the Federal Security Service stated that Bekiev's stay in Russia was undesirable due to his being a follower of radical Islamic teachings and because his activities "threaten public safety and incite ethnic hatred and discord."

Bekiev is known for his harsh criticism of Kyrgyzstan's current authorities. Bekiev's lawyers have not made any official statement regarding the situation.