Acting legend Martin Sheen is lending his help to the Uzbek human rights defender Azimzhan Askarov, who was sentenced in life in prison last year after he was convicted of participating in the ethnic violence that shook Kyrgyzstan in June 2010.

Sheen is working with the Irish-based Front Line organization in an effort to raise global awareness of the human rights defender’s plight.

“In 2010, (Askarov) was sentenced to life imprisonment solely on the basis of his own confession, extracted under torture, for the murder of a policeman during the ethnic clashes. No compelling evidence of his guilt was collected. This was confirmed by the Ombudsman of the country, who called the (verdict) politically motivated,” said Sheen. “Askarov is innocent and needs your help.”

The “West Wing” star called on the public to support Front Line.

Askarov was convicted in 2010 for his involvement in the murder of a police officer.