The funeral of Kazakh opposition activist and YouTuber Aidos Sadykov, who was assassinated in Kyiv, Ukraine, took place on Friday, drawing a small crowd of mourners. Sadykov, 55, lived in Ukraine for 10 years after fleeing Kazakhstan with his family and running a popular YouTube channel with his wife. He was shot outside their home last month and died earlier this week, leaving behind his wife and three children.
His widow Natalia Sadykova blamed President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan for his death, stating that he died a martyr’s death at the hands of killers. The president has not directly addressed these accusations, offering assistance in the investigation instead. Two suspects from Kazakhstan have been named, with one returning and being questioned in Kazakhstan, while the other remains at large after escaping to Moldova.
Sadykov was known as an outspoken critic of the Kazakh government, organizing strikes and protests, and his YouTube channel, Base, had over one million subscribers. The funeral was attended by leaders such as Refat Chubarov, who suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin as the real culprit, sending a message to all Kazakhs, Ukrainians, and Crimean Tatars.
International journalist organizations have condemned the killing and called for a full investigation, emphasizing the need for journalists to operate freely without fear of retribution. The assassination has cast a chill over journalists and exiles in Ukraine and the wider region, with many calling for justice and accountability in the case.
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