Video: Arrested in Kazakhstan is a Famous Kyrgyz Jazz Musician; Protests in Kyrgyzstan

A famous jazz musician, Vikram Ruzakhunov, has been arrested in Kazakhstan. A rally is being held near the Kazakh embassy in Bishkek in support of the arrested musician. Local residents, including Kyrgyz artists and representatives from the show business, are demanding his release.

The head of Kyrgyzstan's National Security Committee, Kamchybek Tashiev, stated that Ruzakhunov is not a terrorist: “I declare with responsibility that he could not be involved as a terrorist. Perhaps he just found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

His relatives have reported that they have been unable to reach him for several days. They are convinced that he has been tortured and are now trying to contact the Kyrgyz authorities through the media.

The Republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that they are looking into the circumstances of the incident.

In a video published today by Kazakh media, the man insists that he is unemployed and agreed to participate in the rally for $200 at the suggestion of “unknown individuals.”