Kyrgyzstan has denied political asylum to a left-wing activist from Russia

The authorities in Kyrgyzstan have refused to grant political asylum to Artyom Borodin, who was detained at the request of the Russian Investigative Committee, reports the “Left Political Prisoners Support Foundation.”

His case is being handled by investigators in Russian-occupied Donetsk. The Foundation notes that Kyrgyzstan does not recognise these territories as part of Russia.

Borodin intends to appeal the decision. He is currently being held in Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 1 in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

In March 2022, the activist was detained by officers of the MGB of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) for putting up posters encouraging workers to defend their labour rights and demand an end to the war in Ukraine. Borodin is a Russian citizen but has relatives in Donetsk, who he was visiting.

After being detained, he was held in a basement for two months before being transferred to Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 1 in Donetsk. He was charged with inciting hatred. Borodin remained in pre-trial detention until December 2022.

“The actual reason for the persecution is his trade union and left-wing activism,” the Left Political Prisoners Support Foundation believes.

After the restrictions were eased, the activist left for Kyrgyzstan. According to the Memorial Human Rights Centre, Borodin learned he was on a wanted list and so “kept a very low profile” in the country for the next two years.

In August 2025, he was detained in Bishkek during a routine document check.