Kyrgyzstan detains large cell of Hizb ut-Tahrir extremists in Jalal-Abad

Kyrgyz law enforcement officers have neutralized a large cell of the extremist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir in the city of Jalal-Abad, which is considered the third-largest city in Kyrgyzstan.

According to the press service of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) of Kyrgyzstan, 22 members of Hizb ut-Tahrir were detained during the operation. Among them were the leader of the cell, five spiritual mentors, and eight instructors who were teaching extremist ideology to three to five students, Caliber.Az reports via Kyrgyz media. 

"For several years, they had been promoting destructive ideologies among the population of Jalal-Abad, recruiting new followers, creating fake accounts on the internet, and using an underground printing press to produce and distribute extremist materials across the country," the press service emphasized.

The SCNS also noted that the detained individuals were opposing the new draft law "On Freedom of Religion and Religious Associations" and had been distributing leaflets with related content.

During the searches, law enforcement officers seized a large amount of extremist literature and computer equipment from the members of Hizb ut-Tahrir. Currently, the members of the organization are being held in a temporary detention facility (TDF).

Notably, Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamist political organization advocating for the establishment of a caliphate, is banned in several countries due to its perceived extremist ideology. The group was banned in Kyrgyzstan in 2003, and authorities have since conducted numerous arrests targeting its members.

In June 2024, six individuals were detained in the Suzak district of Jalal-Abad for promoting extremist ideology. Authorities seized extremist literature, leaflets, and electronic devices containing extremist content.

Before that, in March 2003, five individuals were arrested in Jalal-Abad for possessing religious materials associated with Hizb ut-Tahrir. The arrests led to public protests demanding their release.

In May 2022, twelve active members, including four leaders, were arrested in the town of Kerben, Jalal-Abad region. Confiscated items included electronic devices and mobile phones containing information about the group's financial activities.

By Khagan Isayev