The British and U.S. Embassies issued a joint statement in connection with the guilty verdict for some of the employees of Temirov Live and Ait Ait Dese projects. The text was posted on the official X account of the British diplomatic mission.
It is noted that the court decision unfortunately appears to be part of a pattern of shrinking space for media freedom in the Kyrgyz Republic.
«Together with the Embassy of the United States in the Kyrgyz Republic, we are concerned by the decision to sentence Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy and Azamat Ishenbekov to prison and Aike Beyshekeeva and Aktilek Kaparov to probation in the case against Temirov Live. We urge prompt consideration of their appeals. While we welcome the acquittal of seven other media workers in the case, we note that journalists should never be punished for doing their jobs. This unfortunately appears to be part of a pattern of shrinking space for media freedom in the Kyrgyz Republic. The United States and UK remain committed to supporting freedom of speech and independent journalism in the Kyrgyz Republic and around the world,» the statement says.
On October 10, the Leninsky District Court of Bishkek announced the verdict in the case against 11 former and current employees of Temirov Live. Judge Kylychbek Istamkulov passed the following verdicts:
- Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy — 6 years in prison;
- Azamat Ishenbekov — 5 years in prison;
- Aktilek Kaparov — 3 years of probation;
- Aike Beishekeeva — 3 years of probation;
- Sapar Akunbekov — acquitted;
- Saipidin Sultanaliev — acquitted;
- Tynystan Asypbekov — acquitted;
- Maksat Tazhibek uulu — acquitted;
- Zhoodar Buzumov — acquitted;
- Zhumabek Turdaliev — acquitted;
- Akyl Orozbekov — acquitted.
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 eight 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.
