17:45, 15 января 2024, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Elena KHOKHLOVA
The International Press Institute (IPI) denounces searches and confiscation of equipment at office of 24.kg news agency this morning. The organization posted this statement on X social media.
As noted, searches at 24.kg are clear violation of privacy and media’s right to protect sources.
«General Director Asel Otorbaeva, editors Anton Lymar and Makhinur Niyazova must be immediately released, politically motivated charges against the outlet must be dropped,» the statement says.
Employees of the State Committee for National Security came to the office of 24.kg news agency today at about 11 a.m. They seized computers, laptops, electronic media, as well as other material evidence relevant to the criminal case. General Director Asel Otorbaeva, Editors-in-Chief Anton Lymar and Makhinur Niyazova were taken for interrogation.
The SCNS said that the search at 24.kg news agency was conducted as part of a criminal case under the article «Propaganda of War» of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic.