The Pervomaysky District Court in Bishkek is currently hearing the case of 11 detained journalists. Human rights defender Aziza Abdirasulova informed that journalist Sapar Akunbekov has been placed under house arrest.
It was revealed that the measure of restraint was changed on March 7th. Today, the court will consider whether to extend the detention period or change the measure of restraint for the remaining arrested journalists.
"They brought the guys to the district court. One of them, the journalist from the 'Ait Ait Dese' channel, Sapar Akunbekov, was released under house arrest," she said.
On January 16th, the Ministry of Internal Affairs 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 "Incitement to Mass Disorders" of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The detained individuals include Mahabat Tajibek kyzy, Sapar Akunbekov, Azamat Ishenbekov, Saipidin Sultanaliyev, Aktilek Kaparov, Tynystan Asypbekov, Maxat Tajibek uulu, Zhodar Buzumov, Zhumabek Turdaliyev, Ayke Beyshkeeva, and Akyl Orozbekov. All of them are former or current employees of Temirov Live. A pretrial measure of detention for two months until March 13th has been chosen for all 11 detained journalists. They were held in the Temporary Detention Facility for almost two weeks and were not transferred to the pre-trial detention center.
