Four employees from the editorial teams of Temirov Live, "Politklinika," and Archa Media have been released from pre-trial detention in Bishkek's SIZO-1 to house arrest. The decision was made by the Pervomaisky District Court of the city.
Saipidin Sultanaliyev, Tynystan Asypbekov, independent journalist Joodar Buzumov, and video editor Maxat Tazhibek were released from the courtroom.
Saipidin Sultanaliyev's lawyer, Nursultan Zhanibekov, stated that he will continue to fight for his client's good name and prove his innocence.
It is known that a motion to change the pre-trial detention measure was submitted to the court by the investigator. On January 16, the Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted a search at the Temirov Live office, seizing editorial equipment. The police searched homes and detained 11 current and former employees of the publication.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that following a "judicial-linguistic examination" of content on the pages of Temirov Live and "Ait Ait Dese" on social media, a criminal case was initiated on December 30, 2023, under Article 278 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic for "Incitement to Mass Disorder."
Those detained include Mahabat Tazhibek kyzy, Sapar Akunbekov, Azamat Ishenbekov, Saipidin Sultanaliyev, Aktilek Kaparov, Tynystan Asypbekov, Maxat Tazhibek uulu, Joodar Buzumov, Zhumabek Turdaliyev, Aike Beyshkeeva, and Akyl Orozbekov. All 11, former or current employees of Temirov Live, were remanded in custody for two months until March 13. They were held in the Temporary Detention Facility for almost two weeks without being transferred to SIZO.
Previously, Saparbek Akunbekov and Akyl Orozbekov were released to house arrest. Zhumabek Turdaliyev was released on a non-departure recognizance.
Aktilek Kaparov, Aike Beyshkeeva, Azamat Ishenbekov, and Mahabat Tazhibek kyzy remain in custody.
