In the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek today, the measure of restraint is being considered for 10 arrested journalists. Aikey Beishekeeva was remanded in custody until May. "We are just journalists, doing our job, not involved with politicians or criminal groups. We have not staged any state coups and do not intend to," said Temirov Live employee Aikey Beishekeeva in court.
Earlier, the measure of restraint was also extended for Azamat Ishenbekov and Zhoodar Buzumov. Journalist from "Archa Media" Saipidin Sultanaliyev was also remanded in custody. Aktilek Kaparov and Maxat Tazhibek uulu were also brought into the courtroom.
On January 16, the police conducted a search in the office of Temirov Live, seizing editorial equipment. The police searched homes and detained 11 current and former employees of the publication. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, following a "judicial-linguistic examination" of the content on the pages of Temirov Live and "Ait Ait Dese" on social networks on December 30, 2023, a criminal case was initiated under Article 278 "Calls for Mass Disorder" of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Those detained include Mahabat Tazhibek kyzy, Sapar Akunbekov, Azamat Ishenbekov, Saipidin Sultanaliyev, Aktilek Kaparov, Tynystan Asypbekov, Maxat Tazhibek uulu, Zhoodar Buzumov, Zhumabek Turdaliyev, Aikey Beishekeeva, and Akyl Orozbekov. All of them are former or current employees of Temirov Live. The 11 detained journalists were remanded in custody for two months until March 13. They were held in the Temporary Detention Facility for almost two weeks and were not transferred to the pre-trial detention center.
Today it was announced that Sapar Akunbekov has been released under house arrest.
