American University of Central Asia
In February 2019,the Board of Trustees of the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) announced that Kuchins would become President of the university starting in May 2019. [2] The American University of Central Asia is an international,multidisciplinary learning community in the American liberal arts tradition affiliated with Bard College.
In April 2021,Kyrgyz police summoned Kuchins for questioning regarding the alleged importation of unauthorized narcotics.
"The state-sanctioned battle against progressive elements in Kyrgyzstan deepened over the weekend with the police summoning the American head of a Western-style university in Bishkek for questioning." [3]
Despite the charges,there were "indications security services are involved in smear exercises," [4] and according to the AUCA board of trustees "the medicine involved is approved for use in the United States,was prescribed for his use by his doctor in the U.S. for a medical condition …and was sent to him by mail from one of the largest U.S. pharmacies in the ordinary course of its business." [5]
Shortly after,over 50 academics issued a statement in support of Andrew Kuchins and criticized the charges:
"It is with alarm that we have been monitoring what strongly appears to be an effort to smear one of Kyrgyzstan’s leading academic institutions,the Bishkek-based American University of Central Asia (AUCA).
This effort is most prominently symbolized by a criminal case recently launched against AUCA President Andrew Kuchins,an esteemed and long-time member of PONARS Eurasia known for his support of academic freedom and the broadly cross-national scholarly community. In the strongest possible terms,we call on the relevant authorities to immediately drop the drug-dealing charge against Kuchins—a meritless case that risks discrediting the country’s law-enforcement system in international eyes—and to restore Kyrgyzstan’s long-standing status as the Central Asian region’s leader in academic freedom.
Unfortunately,this is not an isolated incident,and we stand united with scholars around the world in urging a reversal of concerning trends in Kyrgyzstan." [6]
At the June 2021 virtual commencement,Dr. Kuchins announced that he would be stepping down as President of AUCA and returning to the United States. [7] The board of the trustees of the university thanked him for his service,particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. [8] In July 2021,Kuchins was fined 60,000 Kyrgyz soms (approximately US$710) and expelled from Kyrgyzstan. [9]
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