Verdict expected soon in the trial of eleven journalists in Kyrgyzstan – The Diplomat

Last week, prosecutors in Kyrgyzstan summoned the 11 journalists arrested in January and tried, found guilty and sentenced in June for organizing mass riots six years in prison.

A verdict is expected on October 3rd.

The 11 journalists and media workers – Saparbek Akunbekov, Tynystan Asypbekov, Aike Beishekeeva, Joodar Buzumov, Azamat Ishenbekov, Aktilek Kaparov, Akyl Orozbekov, Saipidin Sultanaliev, Makhabat Tajibek-kyzy, Maksat Tajibek-uulu and Jumabek Turdaliev – are mostly current or former journalists of the Investigative group Temirov Live and its sister project Ait Ait Dese, Archa Media and PoliKlinika.

Four of the journalists, including Makhabat Tajibek-kyzy, the wife of Temirov Live founder Bolot Temirov, have been in custody since January 16. The rest were released under house arrest.

The case has come to define Kyrgyzstan autocratic slide under President Sadyr Japarov, who also approved the adoption of a “foreign representatives” law and the proposal of a new law that imposes exorbitant fines Spreading “slander” and another regarding “false information”. The country’s media has long been under attack, which is particularly reflected in the forced closure of Kloop – which is still in operation.

Speak in courtTajibek-kyzy argued that journalists had worked hard to expose corruption in Kyrgyzstan. “Based on the facts of our investigation, many bribers and criminals are in prison today,” she noted.

For example, Temirov Live is a partner of the Organize Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), who orchestrated the coverage of Raimbek Matriaimov that arguably led to his current development arrest. (Not to mention the small matter that he was previously arrested and released by the Kyrgyz government on corruption charges.)

Several media freedom and human rights organizations have spoken out strongly in support of the detained journalists.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Kyrgyz authorities to drop the charges. “Conviction of even one of Temirov Live’s 11 investigative journalists on such blatantly fabricated retaliation charges would deal another serious blow to Kyrgyzstan’s international reputation.” said GulnozaCPJ Program Coordinator for Europe and Central Asia.

But Japarov disagrees. In an interview with state media on September 28th KabarJaparov rejected criticism of the dwindling space for freedom of expression in Kyrgyzstan. “Freedom of expression in Kyrgyzstan exists, has existed and will exist,” he said. “Of the 11 journalists, only two are real journalists,” he added, questioning the defendants’ level of education. “How can you deny the fact that they were paid some money to be on social media and spread false information inciting riots? Once again, misinformation that incites unrest is not part of free speech.”

The trial, which began on June 7, has been postponed locked doorsThe judge banned photo and video recordings. It was not publicly explained in detail which articles or reports the alleged crime was based on, nor is it clear whether and how their journalistic work led to or encouraged riots.

Accordingly CPJ:

Case materials reviewed by CPJ claim that videos from Temirov Live, a partner of the global investigative network Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), and sister site Ait Ait Dese “discredit” the government and contain “indirect” and “subtextual” calls for mass unrest. Akmat Alagushev, the lawyer for two of the journalists, told CPJ that the allegations were “absurd.” The prosecutors’ use of the term “indirect calls”, which has no basis in Kyrgyz law, shows that investigators could not find any actual calls for mass unrest in media publications.

This was said by Kyrgyz human rights defender Rita Karasartova, who attended the trial RFE/RL Kyrgyzstan Service: “They are demanding six years in prison for every journalist. For what? Is journalism a crime?” She embodied the fears of Kyrgyz journalists and human rights defenders more broadly, adding: “Is it a crime to compile journalistic materials, conduct investigations, publish the results of investigations and write about them?” Is it a crime, authorities to criticize?”

Lawyer Ulanbek Seyitbekov told RFE/RL Kyrgyzstan Service that the allegations against the journalists are not legally binding: “The allegations are superficial and without evidence. There is no word about the form of their sins.”

Aktilek Kaparov, one of the accused journalists, expressed confusionHe said he couldn’t understand why prosecutors were charging her for her work. “The prosecutors told us: They collected material for their articles and then published it saying that they had received money for it [referring to a salary].

“That is the same as saying that the sun is hot in summer and cold in winter. Should we judge winter by cold and summer by heat?”