Kazakh opposition journalist dies after assassination attempt in Kyiv

Aidos Sadykov had been living with his family as a refugee in Ukraine since 2014 and ran several opposition websites. 

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Aidos Sadykov
Aidos Sadykov(Credit: 24.KG)

Kazakh opposition figure Aidos Sadykov has died in Ukraine following an attack outside his house in Kyiv, his wife Natalia wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

The wife, Natalia, blamed Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the murder of her husband, a journalist.

The authorities of the Central Asian state had previously denied the allegations.

According to the wife, Aidos fought for his life in intensive care for 13 days, after he was shot outside his house in Kyiv on June 18. 

Two suspects were able to flee to Kazakhstan via neighbouring Moldova. One of the two men turned himself in to the Kazakh prosecutor’s office and was arrested.

Kyiv is seeking extradition. However, Kazakh citizens cannot be extradited according to the constitution.

Sadykov had been living with his family as a refugee in Ukraine since 2014 and ran several opposition websites.

In October 2023, the couple was put on a wanted list in Kazakhstan for “incitement to hatred.”

(dpa/NAN)