Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Deutsche Welle Akademie (DWA) came out in support of Kloop due to the lawsuit filed by the Bishkek prosecutor’s office, which demands to shut down the media outlet.
In the statement, the organizations called on 50 countries to support the media outlet and have submitted the case of the «abusive attempt to liquidate the investigative website Kloop» to the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC).
The aim is to mobilize its fifty member states, from six continents, to denounce the judicial harassment that is emblematic of the repressive escalation against the media in Kyrgyzstan.
With the Kyrgyz investigative media Kloop due to appear in court in Bishkek again on November 27, on absurd and abusive charges, RSF and the DWA are making an urgent referral of this emblematic case to the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) — a coalition of states committed to defending press freedom around the world. The website is not only facing possible closure but also the possibility of criminal prosecutions against its employees.
«This influential investigative media outlet, which has been responsible for major revelations about corruption, deserves the attention and support of all press freedom defenders around the world. Its harassment is emblematic of the increase in the persecution of independent media that began nearly two years ago. RSF hopes for a strong reaction from the MFC, an electric shock that will make President Japarov realize this issue’s importance for Kyrgyzstan. The charges against Kloop must be dropped and the attacks on press freedom must stop,» Jeanne Cavelier, head of RSF’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk, said.
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.
