Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for the dismissal of a politically-motivated complaint by Kyrgyz prosecutors seeking the closure of Kloop.
As noted, on August 22 the media outlet published a report alleging that the Kyrgyz government’s cooperation with Spanish football club Barcelona is tainted by favouritism involving President Sadyr Japarov.
It was supposed to be a flattering moment in the international limelight for President Japarov. Surrounded by some of the biggest stars in the Spanish club’s history, he inaugurated two FC Barcelona subsidiaries in Kyrgyzstan on August 29 and was due to attend a meeting between these «legends» and local players on August 30.
But, as the organization notes, the independent investigative website Kloop spoiled the party by publishing a report last week alleging that presidential associates and a businessman close to the Russian nuclear energy corporation Rosatom are involved in plans to build an FC Barcelona «Football Academy» on land previously confiscated by the Kyrgyz state.
A visibly irritated Japarov attacked Kloop in an interview published by the governmental news agency on August 26 and tried to discredit its journalists.
«This is not the first time Sadyr Japarov has tried to intimidate and censor independent media in his country, which until last year was regarded as a relative oasis of press freedom in Central Asia. He seems allergic to criticism and his reflex responses betray him. His violent and contemptuous reaction to Kloop’s investigation, compounded by an absurd lawsuit, show his true colours. RSF urges the Bishkek court to dismiss this baseless complaint,» Jeanne Cavelier, head of RSF’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk, said.
As RSF stresses, the latest offensive against Kloop parallels the persecution of Radio Azattyk, which intensified with the blocking of its websites in October 2022 and then a lawsuit seeking its dissolution.
It was reported on August 28 that Bishkek prosecutor Emilbek Abdymanapov filed a lawsuit in court to liquidate Kloop.Media public foundation.
The lawsuit, in particular, states that «most of the publications are of a negative nature, aimed at discrediting representatives of state and municipal bodies», «Kloop.Media publications contain hidden manipulations of the opinion of the society, which are imposed negative processes that do not correspond to reality, and create opposition to any undertakings of the current government».
The prosecutor cites several headlines and materials from Kloop.kg, which, according to the oversight body, are sharply critical of the government.
The prosecutor’s office also accuses the public foundation of concealing a large amount of funds.
