Aidos Sadyqov
Aydos Sadykov | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 9, 1968 Karabutak, Aktobe Region, Kazakh SSR |
| Died | July 2, 2024 Kiev, Ukraine |
| Years active | 2005—2024 |
Aydos Sadykov (born December 9, 1968, Karabutak, Aktobe Region, Kazakh SSR — died July 2, 2024, Kiev, Ukraine) — Kazakhstani journalist, opposition figure, and head of the online media outlet BASE.
Sadykov is known for his opposition to former President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and current President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, whom he accuses of holding a pro-Russian stance.[1]
Biography
Sadikov was born in the village of Karabutak in the Aktobe Region of Kazakhstan, near the Russian border. He attended a Russian-language school but spoke Kazakh at home. He graduated from the History Department of Aktobe Pedagogical Institute and engaged in business, trade, and worked in the oil extraction industry.
In Kazakhstan, Sadykov is a prominent opposition figure. He opposed former President Nazarbayev and led the local branch of the National Social Democratic Party Azat, which is in opposition to Nazarbayev. He co-founded the civic movement "Gastat" and established independent trade unions at the oil company "CNPC-Aktobemunaigas". Furthermore, he is also the co-chair of the social-liberal party "Zhusan".
In 2005, Sadykov began his political career by heading the Aktobe branch of the opposition party "True Ak Zhol", which aimed to enter parliament. In 2010, he left the party because its leaders considered him too radical and uncontrollable. The same year, he participated in protests calling for Nazarbayev's resignation, the release of political prisoners, and opposition to land sales, which were not formally sanctioned by the Kazakh authorities.[2] Sadikov faced several criminal charges, including counterfeiting money, assault, and resisting police. He was subjected to a month of forced psychiatric evaluation. In 2010, he was sentenced to two years in prison for hooliganism, during which Kazakh security services attempted to recruit him, but he refused.[3]
At the beginning of 2014, Kazakh authorities filed a case against his journalist wife, with whom Sadykov has two children. In April 2014, he moved with his family from Kazakhstan to Ukraine, settling in Kyiv, where he continued his opposition activities. That same year, Sadykov announced the creation of an international battalion within the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[4]
Recent Activities
On October 14, 2020, the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv initiated proceedings on a lawsuit by LLC "ABS-Munay" against Aidos and Natalia Sadykova to protect the company's reputation and refute false information.
In January 2022, he supported the protests in Kazakhstan, during which CSTO troops were deployed to suppress them. After February 24, 2022, the BASE channel actively reported on and condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The channel was the first to report on the creation of the "Turan" battalion in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, consisting of volunteers from Central Asia and the Caucasus.
In the fall of 2023, Aidos and Natalia Sadykova were declared wanted in Kazakhstan for inciting enmity.
Assassination attempt
On June 18, 2024, an attack was carried out on Sadikov on Viktor Yarmola Street in Kyiv.[5] The assailant approached the car in which Sadykov and his wife were driving and shot him in the temple.[6] The journalist, in critical condition with a head injury, was taken to the hospital.[7]
A pre-trial investigation into attempted murder was initiated. President Tokayev stated that Kazakh law enforcement was ready to investigate the attempt to "establish the truth". Sadikov's wife, Natalia, named President Tokayev as the “main beneficiary” of her husband's potential death.[8]
As of June 24, Sadikov was in a deep coma, with minimal chances of recovery according to doctors.[9]
Investigation
On June 21, Ukrainian police discovered that the attempt was made by two Kazakh citizens who had arrived in Kyiv on June 2 from Poland. Altay Zhakambayev (born February 9, 1988) and Meiram Karatayev, an employee of the Kostanay Region Police Department in northern Kazakhstan (born May 9, 1991), were charged in absentia and placed on an international wanted list. Both left Ukraine for Moldova on the day of the attack.[10]
On June 22, Altay Zhakambayev surrendered to authorities in Kazakhstan, where he was detained and questioned. On June 27, Kazakhstan announced its refusal to extradite the suspects to Ukraine.[11]
Family
Aydos is married to Natalia Sadykova, they have three children.
References
- ^ Asia, Times of Central (2024-06-21). "Who is Aidos Sadykov? - The Times Of Central Asia". Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ Service, RFE/RL's Kazakh. "Kazakhstan Puts Self-Exiled Opposition Activists On Wanted List". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ "Sadykov Aidos". qazpolit.org. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ "Kazakh opposition activist injured in assassination attempt in Kyiv". The Kyiv Independent. 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ "Murder Attempt Against Kazakh Oppositionist Aidos Sadykov In Kyiv". charter97.org. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ "Kazakh opposition journalist Aidos Sadykov survives assassination attempt, in deep coma". english.nv.ua. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/UNNews (2024-07-01). "Attempted murder of journalist Aidos Sadykov: one of the suspects was detained in Kazakhstan | УНН". unn.ua. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help); External link in|last= - ^ Радиосы, Азаттық (2023-10-23). "Қазақстан "Бәсе" каналының авторлары Наталья және Айдос Садықовтарға іздеу жариялады". Азаттық радиосы (in Kazakh). Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ "Sadykov's wife reveals details of assassination attempt on her husband and his current condition". RBC-Ukraine. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ "Ukraine suspects 2 Kazakhs in assassination attempt on compatriot opposition activist in Kyiv". The Kyiv Independent. 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ Bland, Stephen M. (2024-06-21). "Suspected Attackers of Kazakhstan Blogger Aidos Sadykov Identified - The Times Of Central Asia". Retrieved 2024-07-01.