10:49, 20 января 2024, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Tatyana KUDRYAVTSEVA
The President of Kyrgyzstan commented on the detention of 11 former and current journalists of Temirov Live in an interview with Kabar state agency.
According to Sadyr Japarov, the detainees are not professional journalists. They are bloggers who use social media and irresponsibly publish various information, including information that poses a threat to the country’s national security, he said. The President also noted that there is responsibility before the law in the Kyrgyz Republic, as in every state governed by the rule of law.
In this regard, everyone should be responsible for the accuracy of information, and first of all those who consider themselves journalists and bloggers.
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov
«We have witnessed many times when some bloggers and activists openly spread lies and misinformation. Often there were attempts intentionally or without realizing it to incite regional, religious and interethnic discord, calls for anti-constitutional acts, riots,» he added.
The President also told about the charges against the detainees. According to him, the conclusion of the forensic expert service under the Ministry of Justice has established that the video messages of Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy have signs of calls for mass disorder, which falls under Article 278 Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic.
«In the current troubled and turbulent times, freedom of speech is closely linked to responsibility. Today, countries that can be classified as democratically developed already impose restrictions against those who use freedom of speech to achieve political goals and destabilize society. In that regard, we are compelled to take preventive measures, as it directly affects the national security of the country. Here I would also like to cite some provisions of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which was adopted by the member states of the Council of Europe (November 4, 1950). Thus, article 10, paragraph 2, Freedom of Expression provides for the rights of the state to certain restrictions on freedom of expression related to the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public order. So, simply put, in a democratic society, certain formalities, whether restrictions or sanctions, which are provided for by law, are necessary in order to prevent disorder or crime. Let’s wait for the completion of all investigative measures,» Sadyr Japarov concluded.
On January 16, the office of Temirov Live was searched and editorial equipment was confiscated. The police searched homes and detained 11 current and former employees of the media outlet.
The Interior Ministry issued a statement announcing that, as a result of «forensic linguistic examination» of content found on the social media pages of Temirov Live and Ait Ait Dese on December 30, criminal proceedings had been initiated against them under article 278, part 3 of the Criminal Code for «calling for riots.»
All detainees were arrested on January 17 until the end of investigation by court decision.
Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy, Sapar Akunbekov, Azamat Ishenbekov, Saipidin Sultanaliev, Aktilek Kaparov, Tynystan Asypbekov, Maksat Tazhibek uulu, Zhoodar Buzumov, Zhumabek Turdaliev, Aike Beishekeeva and Akyl Orozbekov will be kept in Bishkek pretrial detention center 1 until March 13. All of them are former or current employees of Temirov Live.