The British Embassy in Kyrgyzstan commented on the verdict in the case against investigative journalist Bolot Temirov. The statement was published on the official Facebook page of the diplomatic mission.
«We have followed the case against Bolton Temirov closely. Independent journalism is a key part of the democracy that Kyrgyzstan have always wanted to strengthen. Journalism is often uncomfortable for those it focuses on, but it is important to protect, nurture and promote it. Any allegations against journalists must be based on concrete evidence,» the Embassy said.
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.
