Aidos Sadyqov
Aydos Sadykov | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 December 1968 |
| Died | 2 July 2024 (aged 55) Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, politician |
| Years active | 2005–2024 |
| Spouse | Natalia Sadykova |
| Children | 3 |
Aydos Sadykov (9 December 1968 – 2 July 2024) was Kazakhstani journalist, opposition figure, and head of the online media outlet BASE.[1]
Sadykov was known for his opposition to former President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and current President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, whom he accused of holding a pro-Russian stance.[2]
Biography
Sadykov 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 was 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 was 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.[3] Sadykov 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.[4]
At the beginning of 2014, Kazakh authorities filed a case against his journalist wife, with whom Sadykov had 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.[5]
Recent activities
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On 14 October 2020, the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv initiated proceedings on a lawsuit by LLC "ABS-Munay" against Aydos 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 24 February 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, Aydos and Natalia Sadykova were declared wanted in Kazakhstan for inciting enmity.
Assassination
On 18 June 2024, an attack was carried out on Sadykov on Viktor Yarmola Street in Kyiv.[6] The assailant approached the car in which Sadykov and his wife were driving and shot him in the temple.[7] The journalist, in critical condition with a head injury, was taken to hospital.[8]
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". Sadykov's wife, Natalia, named Tokayev as the "main beneficiary" of her husband's potential death.[9] Sadykov fell into a deep coma[10] and died on 2 July.[11]
Investigation
On 21 June, Ukrainian police discovered that the attempt had been made by two Kazakh citizens who had arrived in Kyiv on 2 June from Poland. Altay Zhakambayev (born February 9, 1988) and Meiram Karatayev, an employee of the Kostanay Region Police Department in northern Kazakhstan (born 9 May 1991), were charged in absentia and placed on an international wanted list. Both left Ukraine for Moldova on the day of the attack.[12]
On 22 June, Altay Zhakambayev surrendered to authorities in Kazakhstan, where he was detained and questioned. On 27 June, Kazakhstan announced its refusal to extradite the suspects to Ukraine.[13]
Family
Aydos was married to Natalia Sadykova, they had three children.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Asia, Times of Central (22 June 2024). "Aidos Sadykov Shooting: First Suspect Detained by Kazakhstan Authorities - The Times Of Central Asia". Retrieved 2 July 2024.
- ^ Asia, Times of Central (21 June 2024). "Who is Aidos Sadykov? - The Times Of Central Asia". Archived from the original on 1 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ Service, RFE/RL's Kazakh. "Kazakhstan Puts Self-Exiled Opposition Activists On Wanted List". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Archived from the original on 1 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Sadykov Aidos". qazpolit.org. Archived from the original on 1 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Kazakh opposition activist injured in assassination attempt in Kyiv". The Kyiv Independent. 18 June 2024. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Murder Attempt Against Kazakh Oppositionist Aidos Sadykov In Kyiv". charter97.org. Archived from the original on 1 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Kazakh opposition journalist Aidos Sadykov survives assassination attempt, in deep coma". english.nv.ua. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ Bashynskyi, Pavlo (22 June 2023). "Attempted murder of journalist Aidos Sadykov: one of the suspects was detained in Kazakhstan". unn.ua. Archived from the original on 1 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ Радиосы, Азаттық (23 October 2023). "Қазақстан "Бәсе" каналының авторлары Наталья және Айдос Садықовтарға іздеу жариялады". Азаттық радиосы (in Kazakh). Archived from the original on 1 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Sadykov's wife reveals details of assassination attempt on her husband and his current condition". RBC-Ukraine. Archived from the original on 19 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Kazakh dissident dies following assassination attempt in Ukraine". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
- ^ "Ukraine suspects 2 Kazakhs in assassination attempt on compatriot opposition activist in Kyiv". The Kyiv Independent. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ Bland, Stephen M. (21 June 2024). "Suspected Attackers of Kazakhstan Blogger Aidos Sadykov Identified - The Times Of Central Asia". Archived from the original on 1 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.