RSF concerned about detention of journalist Kanyshai Mamyrkulova

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is concerned about the detention of journalist Kanyshai Mamyrkulova. The Telegram channel of the human rights organization says.

«RSF is concerned about the arrest of Kanyshai Mamyrkulova at her home under the pretext of «calls for mass unrest,» which she denies. The authorities must stop using justice as a tool to silence independent journalists,» the statement says.

Recall, the journalist was detained in Bishkek on March 20.

According to the investigation, Kanyshai Mamyrkulova was spreading false information about the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, which could lead to destabilization of the situation in the country.

The Main Department of Internal Affairs of Bishkek stated that a forensic linguistic examination confirmed the presence of calls for violence, which became the basis for initiating a criminal case under Article 278 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Lawyer Nurbek Sydykov previously reported that Kanyshai Mamyrkulova is accused of «calls for mass unrest» (Article 278 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic). She was detained for 48 hours. He noted that law enforcement officers were checking the activist’s publications on social media.

The journalist is known for writing critical posts about the government on social media.