Journalist Aike Beishekeyeva, who is under arrest in Bishkek’s detention center 1, has won the International Cena Gratias Tibi Award. Investigative journalist Bolot Temirov reported on X.
He noted that the Czech non-governmental organization Mourning People awarded the Kyrgyzstani for her heroism in the field of human rights protection. The award ceremony was held in Prague. The award is given to young people who have dedicated themselves to improving the protection of human rights.
23-year-old Aike Beishekeeva is the youngest member of the team of investigative journalist Bolot Temirov from Temirov Live project. Along with ten other colleagues, she was arrested and placed in the pre-trial detention center on dubious charges of calling for mass riots. On September 26, the state prosecutor asked for a six-year sentence.
The hearing was adjourned until October 3. On that day, the defendants will make their final statements.
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.
