In the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek today, the pretrial measure for 10 arrested journalists is being considered, with two already remanded in custody. The arrest term for Joodar Buzumov and Azamat Ishenbekov has been extended until May 13.
The court sessions are being held behind closed doors. Earlier, Aktilek Kaparov was brought into the courtroom, but the court did not address the issue of pretrial detention.
On January 16, the Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted a search in the office of Temirov Live, seizing editorial equipment. 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 Riots" of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Those detained include Mahabat Tajibek kyzy, Sapar Akunbekov, Azamat Ishenbekov, Saipidin Sultanaliyev, Aktilek Kaparov, Tynystan Asypbekov, Maxat Tajibek uulu, Joodar Buzumov, Zhumabek Turdaliyev, Aike Beyshenkeeva, and Akyl Orozbekov. All of them are former or current employees of Temirov Live.
All 11 detained journalists were remanded in custody for two months - until March 13. For almost two weeks, they were held in the Temporary Detention Facility and were not transferred to a pretrial detention center.
