Prominent Kazakh opposition activist and YouTuber Aidos Sadykov was laid to rest in Kyiv, Ukraine, after being assassinated outside his home. Sadykov, who had fled Kazakhstan 10 years ago, ran a popular YouTube channel with his wife covering events in their homeland. He was shot last month and died from his injuries after fighting for his life in the ICU for 13 days. His widow blamed Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for his death.
The Ukrainian prosecutor general named two Kazakh citizens as suspects in the shooting, with one turning himself in upon his return to Kazakhstan. Sadykov leaves behind a wife and three children. He was known for being an outspoken critic of the Kazakh government, organizing strikes and protests, and had spent time in prison for his activism.
At the funeral, Crimean Tatar leader Refat Chubarov suggested that Russian President Vladimir V. Putin was the real culprit behind the assassination. International journalists’ organizations have condemned the killing and called for a thorough investigation into Sadykov’s death.
The assassination has sent shockwaves through the journalist and exile community in Ukraine and beyond, with many expressing fear for their safety. Sadykov’s death is seen as a message to all those who advocate for freedom and independence in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Crimea. His murder has sparked concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists operating in the region.
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