Security Incident at a Kyrgyz Prison and Related Developments in Russia
Kyrgyzstan’s law enforcement officers intervened to quell a riot inside a correctional colony. This information was reported by REN TV, via the prison service under the Ministry of Justice of the Republic.
According to the report, a group of 50 to 60 inmates armed with piercing and cutting tools challenged the colony staff. The confrontation was brought under control, and the rebellion was suppressed. During the operation 22 mobile phones and 140 prohibited items were discovered among the detainees and subsequently confiscated. The principal ringleaders were isolated to prevent further escalation.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing. At present, the institution continues to operate in its usual capacity following the disruption.
In a related concern raised this week by Eva Merkacheva, a member of the Council for the Promotion of Civil Society and Human Rights, reports surfaced about video communications being shut down in colonies across Russia. The measure was taken at the request of Alexander Khabarov, the deputy director of the Federal Penitentiary Service. The decision aimed to deter convicts from coordinating wrongdoing and engaging in illicit activities through remote video links.
Additionally, a former mayor of Krasnoyarsk proposed an unexpected approach, suggesting the release of certain prisoners to participate in street cleanup as a form of community service. This idea reflects ongoing debates about reform and public safety in correctional policy.