Boxing champion Almazbek Raimkulov is arrested
Yesterday the local channels’ news program informed that the Kyrgyz boxer Almazbek Raimkulov was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada a couple of days ago. The reason for arrest was allegedly his refusal to fight in the name of the US. Just to give some background information, Almazbek Raimkulov is a professional boxer who for a long time lives in the US and has become famous in the world of boxing as “KID DIAMOND”.
However, today AKIpress and 24.kg refer to Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs and inform that Raimkulov was fined for driving a car being drunk back in 2004. Since he did not show up on court hearing, he was put on a wanted list. Now, three years later, he is convicted and detained by the police. As AKIpress reports:
The Kyrgyz Embassy in the United States appealed to the U.S. Department of State requesting to clarify all circumstances of this incident. The Kyrgyz Embassy is undertaking all possible measures to ensure a positive outcome of this problem. At present, the Embassy is looking for a lawyer and tries to achive Almazbek’s release from custody on bail, said the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On Kyrgyz forum Kg-ordo.net there is a long discussion about Almazbek Raimkulov, his successes, championships, and of course, the latest scandal. Some of the participants of this forum look like his friends as they are very much concerned about him and his parents, who live with him in America and now after the scandal they have no place to live. Some of his friends are even thinking to organize some protest movement in front of the US Embassy in Bishkek to demand protection his rights. There are also rumors on diesel.elcat.kg that Raimkulov’s manager did not want to pay him for the last 6 months and his contract was going to expire soon. Raimkulov’s website which is www.almazbek.com is also not working since October 2007. Well, who knows what really happened, but we will see if the Kyrgyz Embassy in Washington D.C. can do something about it.
on November 16th, 2007 at 7:22 am
hi! my name is Aijamal Asanovna. I’m from Kyrgyzstan. I live in UTAH salt lake city. i like to meet Almazbek Raiymkylov. how can i find his mail address or phone number?
Thank you.
Aika.
on November 16th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
We hope for the best…
on November 17th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Hello Aijamal
Nice to meet you! Go to kg-ordo.net and you will see the discussion about Almazbek Raimkulov, there you can find his address and telephone number.
on November 21st, 2007 at 5:28 pm
An interesting comment
on November 21st, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Most people in the United States are arrested for one of two reasons: Either they are Africans or they are Human and Civil Rights Dissidents.
I am a scientist and I was arrested and falsely accused of being a terrorist. The “government” also took away my right to Free Speech.
Kindly inform your people that American “Democracy” is nonsense.
Sorry about your boxer and for his abuses by these crazy Americans. [Comment edited due to offensive and inflammatory content - URL removed for the same reasons]
Kathleen M. Dickson
Former Pfizer Analytical Chemist
http://www.actionlyme.org
Pawcatuc, Connecticut, “USA”
on November 24th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Just so you know, Asel has posted a lot of false information. It is a matter of public record that Almaz “Kid Diamond” Raiymkulov was not arrested for refusing to fight under the U.S. flag. He was arrested for DUI. He could have prevented his arrest by taking care of his business. He didn’t. There is no reason to protest. There is no reason to deal with people like Kathleen M. Dickson. Please don’t drink and drive!
on November 24th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Is everyone just assuming that he’s innocent of the charges? Unlike in Central Asia, our police actually try to stop crime. They generally don’t take bribes, and will arrest anyone who attempts to bribe them. I’m assuming that this great boxer [I’m sure he’s incredible] actually was drinking and driving, and that is a serious offense in the United States. It has nothing to do with us being crazy Americans and I hardly think that being held by the police for drunk driving is ‘abuse.’ In fact, I can assure you that Raimkulov has now learned just how posh the prison and jail situation in America is in comparison with their counterparts in Central Asia.
However, I am glad to see his countrymen supporting him. But if you really want to help him, consider the fact that these charges are probably legit and that someone should speak with Raimkulov about the consequences of driving while intoxicated. The only reason this news is plastered across CNN is because he was caught without killing anyone. If he’d run over some people, or killed others in a car accident, the citizens of Las Vegas would want blood, I’m sure.
I recall drunk drivers in Kazakhstan being very lightly punished, when they were punished at all. And generally, the police were not the punishers, but members of the driver’s mahalla or neighborhood. It should be the same way for Raimkulov. He’s not an innocent victim.
on November 25th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Ignatius, I did not make it up myself, I heard this information on local TV news. Raimkulov’s sister, who lives in Kyrgyzstan, allegedly said that he was detained because he refused to fight under American flag. I really have no clue what happened there, and there so many rumours going on now regarding the issue. but again, I am too far to come to any conclusion now, the only thing which is important now is to investigate what really the case is. And if he is guilty, he must get punished to full extent. All should be equal before the law and be responsible for their actions.
on November 25th, 2007 at 10:40 am
Michael,
I am more inclined to believe that his relatives did not tell the real reason of why Raimkulov was detained because they did not want him to look bad in the eyes of the people who were very proud of him. That is where the misinformation come from, I guess. I myself hate drunk drivers who cause death of other innocent people. It is a big problem in Kyrgyzstan now, where most of them don’t get punished and easily get away bribing policemen. I wish the law worked in our region properly so that drunk people never drive.
on January 5th, 2008 at 6:54 am
During the interview to Gazeta.kg (http://www.gazeta.kg/interview/2007-12-03/1977) Almazbek confirmed he was arrested for DUI and refuted different speculations about Kyrgyz flag:
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