The EU welcomes yesterday’s court decision, acquitting prominent investigative journalist Bolot Temirov on most charges. Press service of the EU Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic reports.
«We encourage the Government of Kyrgyzstan to ensure a fair legal proceeding, in full accordance with the national legislation and international human rights obligations in the subsequent appeal process. The EU reiterates the importance of ensuring freedom of speech and guaranteeing the personal safety of all journalists as they pursue their professional work,» the statement says.
The Sverdlovsky District Court announced verdict to the journalist on Wednesday. Bolot Temirov was charged with four counts: illegal possession of drugs, illegal crossing of the border, illegal use of a military ID to obtain an ID card, and illegal obtaining of a passport of a citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic. The journalist was acquitted on the first two charges, and was found guilty of the rest, but was released from punishment due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.
