The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan started an investigation against 20 social media users for social media posts «provoking interethnic hostility.» Press service of the ministry reports.
Law enforcers note that these Internet users were taken to the police department for interrogation. Moreover, the Ministry of Internal Affairs warned Kyrgyzstanis about criminal liability for «provocative materials inciting racial, ethnic, national, religious hatred.»
«For example, about 20 social media users posted aggressive messages provoking interethnic hostility. In the course of social media monitoring, employees of the internal affairs bodies identified the above-mentioned citizens and took them to the police department, investigation is ongoing,» the Ministry of Internal Affairs said in the statement.
At the same time, the Ministry of Internal Affairs assured that initiation of criminal cases is out of question so far — a decision on it will be made after an appropriate examination.
Article 330 «Incitement of racial, ethnic, national, religious, inter-regional hatred» of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic provides for a fine in the amount of 1,000 to 2,000 calculated rates or imprisonment for up to five years.
Emergency situation has been introduced in Batken region. Shooting began at several sites of the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on the morning of September 16. Settlements in Leilek and Batken district came under fire. The Ministry of Health reported 198 victims, 59 people were killed. As a result of the armed conflict on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, residents of seven villages in Batken and Leilek districts, as well as Dzhekendi village in Chon-Alai district of Osh region, left their homes.
The Prosecutor General’s Office of Kyrgyzstan opened a criminal case on crimes against peace.
