The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on the Kyrgyzstan authorities to drop all charges against eleven current and former employees of the Temirov Live and "Ait, ait dese" projects. The statement was published on the organization's website.
Gulnoza Said, CPJ's Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, noted that the release of four more journalists is a positive step, but stated that Kyrgyzstan continues to violate its international obligations on freedom of speech by pressing charges against journalists. She also expressed deep concern over reports of Mahabat Tajibek kyzy being beaten in detention and called for a thorough investigation.
On January 16, the Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted a search at the Temirov Live office, seizing editorial equipment. Police searched homes and detained 11 current and former employees of the publication.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a criminal case was initiated on December 30, 2023, under Article 278 of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyz Republic for incitement to mass disorder based on the results of a "judicial-linguistic examination" of content on the Temirov Live and Ait Ait Dese social media pages.
Those detained include Mahabat Tajibek kyzy, Sapar Akunbekov, Azamat Ishenbekov, Saipidin Sultanaliyev, Aktilek Kaparov, Tynystan Asypbekov, Maxat Tajibek uulu, Juodar Buzumov, Jumabek Turdaliyev, Aike Beishekeev, and Akyl Orozbekov. All of them are former or current employees of Temirov Live. The 11 journalists have been remanded in custody until March 13.
It is worth noting that Saparbek Akunbekov and Akyl Orozbekov were placed under house arrest, Jumabek Turdaliyev was released on a travel ban, and on April 9, Saipidin Sultanaliyev, Tynystan Asypbekov, Juodar Buzumov, and Maxat Tajibek uulu had their detention measures changed. Aktilek Kaparov, Aike Beishekeev, Azamat Ishenbekov, and Mahabat Tajibek kyzy remain in custody.
