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Alexander IvanovFuel truck driver shot dead at US airbase in Kyrgyzstan.
Country:
 Kyrgyzstan |
Content:
Alexander Ivanov: A Tragic Loss
Alexander Stepanovich Ivanov, a Kyrgyz tanker truck driver, was tragically shot and killed in December 2006 at the US military airbase in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Biography
Born in 1964 in Bishkek, Ivanov was a Russian by ethnicity but held Kyrgyz citizenship. Throughout his life, he worked as a driver. In December 2001, the US established a major airbase in Bishkek, known as Ganci Air Base, to support counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan. About 600 residents of Bishkek, including Ivanov, were contracted to work at the base.
Fatal Incident
On December 6, 2006, Ivanov was fatally shot by US Air Force service member Zachary Hatfield at a checkpoint on Ganci Air Base. Ivanov received initial medical aid but succumbed to his injuries at the base's emergency medical facility.
Investigation
The incident sparked an investigation by Kyrgyz authorities, who uncovered evidence suggesting Hatfield fired two 9mm rounds at Ivanov's chest. The US airbase claimed Hatfield acted in self-defense, stating that Ivanov was aggressive and attempted to use a knife. However, witnesses claimed Ivanov possessed only a nail file. The exact circumstances leading to the confrontation remain unclear.
Diplomatic Fallout
Ivanov's death significantly strained Kyrgyz-American relations. The Kyrgyz government threatened to review the status of US troops in the country and potentially close the airbase. Parliament demanded an investigation and compensation for Ivanov's family.
Aftermath
Ivanov was buried on December 8, 2006, survived by his wife and two sons born in 1986 and 1990. His tragic end continues to serve as a reminder of the complexities of international relations and the human cost of international presence.
