Kyrgyzstan: Mass Raids, Interrogations and Detentions in Government Crackdown on Independent Media
Journalists Makhabat Tazhibek Kyzy and Aike Beyshekeeva remain in detention
Location: Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
Date: January 15-16, 2024Update: April 9, 2024
A wave of police raids, interrogations, and detentions targeting independent media outlets and journalists in Bishkek has ignited concerns about the erosion of media freedom in the country. 11 journalists have been detained from various media outlets, and several have faced police interrogation. Allegations of "war propaganda" and inciting “mass unrests” relating to the press’ coverage of Russia’s war in Ukraine were used as a pretext for the crackdown. This increased, systematic suppression poses a severe threat to the vibrant civil society and independent media that Kyrgyzstan was long known for. Women Press Freedom denounces the persecution of critical media outlets and fervently demands an immediate end to the harassment. All investigations into journalists of 24.kg, Temirov LIVE, PolitKlinkia, and the Ait Ait Dese project must cease, and detained journalists must be immediately released.
Raids and Interrogation of 24.kg Journalists
On January 15, 2024, the State Committee for National Security conducted a search at the editorial office of the 24.kg publication, seizing all equipment and interrogating its leaders, including editor-in-chief Makhinur Niyazova, general director Asel Otorbaeva and editor Anton Lymar.
24.kg has been a trailblazer in Kyrgyzstan's online media landscape. Asel Otorbaeva, as its long-term general director, has played a pivotal role in its success. The reason for the crackdown was reportedly an article accused of "war propaganda," specifically related to the coverage of the conflict in Ukraine. The three journalists were later released from police custody and ordered not to disclose details of the case.
Temirov Live Journalists Detained
A day later, on January 16, 2024, police searched the homes of 11 journalists affiliated with outlets such as Temirov Live, Ait Ait Dese, PolitKlinika, and Archa Media. The 11 journalists, including women journalists Makhabat Tazhibek Kyzy and Aike Beyshekeeva, were taken into custody.
Bolot Temirov, founder of Temirov Live, and prominent investigative journalist, suggested on Twitter that the detentions may be linked to two recent investigative reports, one exposing President Sadyr Japarov's private New Year's Eve flight to Milan, Italy, on a government plane, and the other revealing corruption among top officials of the Interior Ministry.
The Interior Ministry, in a statement, justified the searches and detentions, citing an investigation into unspecified Temirov Live publications that allegedly "carried elements of calls for mass unrest."
Lawmaker Janar Akaev condemned the actions against the journalists as "an attack on freedom of speech" and warned of potential self-censorship, hindering investigative reporting on political and corruption issues.
“These latest actions by the authorities appear to be part of a larger pattern of pressure against civil society activists, journalists, and other critics of the authorities,” U.N. Human Rights Office spokeswoman Liz Throssell stated.
In a hearing on March 13, 2024, the First May District Court of Bishkek decided to keep eight of the journalists, including Mahabat Tazhibek and Aike Beyshekeeva, in custody until May 13. Two journalists were released under house arrest, and another was freed but issued a travel ban.
On April 9, 2024, four further Temirov Live journalists were released under house arrest. Three journalists currently employed at Temirov Live— director Makhabat Tajibek, investigative reporter Aike Beishekeyeva, and media worker Azamat Ishenbekov—as well as former Temirov Live journalist Aktilek Kaparov, are still being held in pretrial detention.
Days earlier on April 6, 2024, Makhabat Tazhibek accused Penitentiary Service employees of beating her in jail. She claims the violence was ordered by higher authorities to pressure her. Her husband, journalist Bolot Temirov, shared her statement on Facebook.
During a visit to the jail, Kyrgyzstan's parliament-appointed human rights ombudsman confirmed that Tajibek had bruises on her face and arms. Prosecutors have initiated an inquiry into the incident.
Declining Media Freedom
Kyrgyzstan, traditionally known for its vibrant civil society and independent media in Central Asia, is witnessing a deepening government crackdown on independent press. Kyrgyzstan Media Policy Institute tells Women Press Freedom, “While earlier civil lawsuits were filed against journalists, media or activists, since the pandemic, there has been an increase in criminal prosecutions for legitimate statements by professional and citizen journalists on issues relevant for public discussion.”
“These latest actions by the authorities appear to be part of a larger pattern of pressure against civil society activists, journalists, and other critics of the authorities”
The country’s press freedom has declined, with a notable drop in its ranking from 72nd in 2022 to 122nd out of 180 in 2023, according to RSF. In 2023 the government tightened control over independent media, exemplified by the forced termination of Radio Azattyk and the questioning of PolitKlinika journalist Dilbar Alimova for reporting on the speaker of Kyrgyzstan’s parliament and the prosecutor-general.
Women Press Freedom demands an immediate and unequivocal end to the state harassment of independent journalists and their outlets. All investigations into Makhinur Niyazova, Asel Otorbaeva, and Anton Lymar of 24.kg must be immediately dropped, and detained Temirov Live journalists must be released.
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