The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Kyrgyz authorities to immediately drop charges against current and former Temirov Live employees, release all eight detained journalists, and stop repression against independent media. On Tuesday, the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek extended the pre-trial detention period for Temirov Live director Mahabat Tajibek kyzy, current and former staff members Aike Beishekeeva, Azamat Ishenbekov, Saipidin Sultanaliyev, Aktilek Kaparov, Tynystan Asypbekov, Zhoodar Buzumov, and Maxat Tajibek uulu by two months.
Akyl Orozbekov and Zhumabek Turdaliyev have been released from custody, while Sapar Akunbekov has been placed under house arrest. All 11 individuals are still accused of incitement to mass disorder, carrying a prison sentence of up to eight years under Article 278 Part 3 of the Criminal Code.
The mass detention of journalists associated with investigative outlet Temirov Live is seen as a sign of escalating press freedom crisis in Kyrgyzstan. By extending their detention, the authorities demonstrate their intent to continue this repressive course, stated CPJ's Europe and Central Asia program coordinator Gulnoza Said.
On January 16, the Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted a search at Temirov Live's office, seizing editorial equipment. Police searched homes and detained 11 current and former employees of the outlet.
The Ministry stated that following a "judicial-linguistic examination" of content on Temirov Live and "Ait Ait Dese" social media pages, a criminal case was initiated on December 30, 2023, under Article 278 "Incitement to Mass Disorder" of the Kyrgyz Republic Criminal Code.
Those detained include Mahabat Tajibek kyzy, Sapar Akunbekov, Azamat Ishenbekov, Saipidin Sultanaliyev, Aktilek Kaparov, Tynystan Asypbekov, Maxat Tajibek uulu, Zhoodar Buzumov, Zhumabek Turdaliyev, Aike Beishekeeva, and Akyl Orozbekov - all former or current Temirov Live employees. All 11 detained journalists have been remanded in custody for two months until March 13. They were held in the IVS for almost two weeks without being transferred to a detention center.
