Hearing of arguments of the parties on the case against former and current employees of Temirov Live began in Leninsky District Court of Bishkek.
As Bolot Temirov reported on his Telegram channel, the prosecutor has requested 6 years in prison for each of 11 journalists.
The trial is being held behind closed doors, and the judge has banned photographing and video recording.
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.»
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 were detained. All 11 detained journalists were arrested for two months.
Later, the court placed most of the detained journalists under house arrest and released under a written undertaking not to leave the city.
Four journalists have been behind bars for more than six months.
There are 13 defendants in the case. Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy and journalist Aktilek Kaparov were accused of «organizing» calls for riots, and the remaining journalists, including investigator Bolot Temirov and journalist Ulan Nurmanbetov, were charged with «aiding and abetting» these calls. All defendants in the case do not agree with the charges.
