Ahead of the verdict expected on 3 October, in the case against Aike Beishekeeva, Makhabat Tazhibek-kyzy and nine other current or former journalists from independent media outlet Temirov LIVE and its partner project Ayt Ayt Dese, who face up to six years in prison on politically motivated charges of “calling for mass unrest,” Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s acting Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:
“These charges are nothing more than a politically motivated attempt to stifle free expression and punish journalists for their work. We reiterate our urgent call on the Kyrgyzstani authorities to release all those detained and drop the baseless charges against them. Temirov LIVE, Ayt Ayt Dese and all other independent media should be able to operate freely and safely.”
“Any attempt to silence journalists with trumped-up charges is an unforgivable attack on the human right to freedom of expression and undermines Kyrgyzstan’s international obligations.”
Background
The charges were brought after the YouTube-based media projects Temirov LIVE and Ayt Ayt Dese published a series of investigations into alleged government corruption. Prosecutors have sought six-year sentences despite the lack of evidence of the alleged crime.
On 16 January 2024, police raided the homes of 11 journalists, including Makhabat Tazhibek-kyzy, the head of Temirov LIVE, and Aike Beishekeeva, a 23-year-old Temirov LIVE’s factchecker. Six were later placed under house arrest, and one was released under travel restrictions. The trial started on 7 June and has been held behind closed doors. Makhabat and Aike and two other journalists have remained in pretrial detention throughout.
On 28 September, Kyrgyzstani President Sadyr Japarov dismissed the journalists as “not real” and claimed they were “spreading false information calling for riots,” raising concerns about stigmatizing narratives coming from the highest office.
Temirov LIVE’s founder, Bolot Temirov, was stripped of Kyrgyzstani citizenship and deported to Russia in 2022. Kyrgyzstan has since introduced repressive laws targeting independent media, including a “foreign representatives” law (styled on the Russian “foreign agents” law) targeting press freedom organizations and civil society.