Rita Karasartova

Rita Rahman kyzy Karasartova (; born ) is a Kyrgyz human rights activist known for her work on civil engagement in Kyrgyzstan.

Biography Karasartova is the head of the Institute for Public Analysis, a non-governmental organisation that monitors selection and rotation within the Kyrgyzstani judiciary system. In addition, she also provides pro bono legal support to citizens of Kyrgyzstan seeking to address alleged injustices committed by law enforcement and the judiciary.

Amnesty International described Karasartova as an expert in civil governance, while Front Line Defenders called her one of the first female human rights activists to publicly cover issues in the Kyrgyz language. Karasartova was detained for a period of months before being placed under house arrest. '''

2025 arrest On 14 April 2025, Karasartova posted a letter on Facebook written by Tilekmat Kurenov, a Kyrgyzstani opposition activist.

Later that day, armed police officers from the Main Department of Internal Affairs of Chüy Region raised Karasartova's home in Bishkek, initially transporting and interrogating her at a police station in Chüy. In the days prior to her arrest, two other activists had been arrested on suspicion of being "supporters of Kurenov" and following Karasartova's arrest, local media reported that she had "close ties" to the main suspects concerning a plot to overthrow the government.

On 19 April, Kyrgyzstani authorities confirmed that Kurenov was in their custody, having been deported from the United Arab Emirates, and stated that he had been charged with calling for and preparing mass riots and attempting to seize power. The prosecution alleged that Karasartova's posting of Kurenov's letter was a signal to start an attempt coup d'état.

On 17 April, Karasartova's detention was extended until 12 May, at a hearing held at 02:00 KGT; while the judge recognised that the circumstances of her arrest had contained "procedural violations", Karasartova's detention was deemed to be "justified". The hearing was held in Russian, and Karasartova was not provided access to a Kyrgyz interpreter.

After two postponements, Karasartova's trial started on 15 August 2025. Kyrgyzstani authorities classified the case, preventing the defence from obtaining its own copy of the evidence file against Karasartova. On 18 September, she was sentenced to five years' probation, in addition to a fine of 50, 000 KGS.

Karasartova appealed her sentence; in December 2025, her sentence was upheld.

Recognition Human Rights Watch stated that the authorities' decision to classify Karasartova's case violated her right to a fair trial, as it shielded proceedings from public scrutiny, describing it as a "politically motivated persecution". It called for the trial to be halted, the charges dropped, and Karasartova released. Amnesty International featured Karasartova in its 2023 Write for Rights campaign. Front Line Defenders called for Karasartova's immediate and unconditional release.