August 26, 1999
His Excellency Askar Akayev
President of Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Via Fax: 011-7-3312-218627
Your Excellency,
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is writing to express great concern about the recent harassment of Alexander Kim, chief editor of the independent daily Vecherny Bishkek.
On August 24, representatives from the Kyrgyz State Tax Police attempted to arrest Kim on charges of tax evasion and ordered him to provide a number of the newspaper’s financial documents. Kim argued that Vecherny Bishkek had successfully passed a tax audit in December, and that, according to Article 13 of the Kyrgyz Tax Code, no additional review could be performed for another year.
On August 25, the tax police announced criminal proceedings against Kim for failing to turn over the documents. Tax authorities, local police, and members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs made numerous attempts to arrest Kim throughout the day, and surrounded the newspaper’s office building late into the night.
Kim was eventually able to escape with the help of colleagues. He has since been hospitalized in Bishkek where he is receiving treatment for a heart condition presumed to have been brought on by the incident. He has not released his whereabouts for fear of further retaliation.
Tax authorities have begun a separate investigation of Rubikon,the advertising arm of the Vecherny Bishkek,which also successfully completed an audit earlier this year. During a meeting with journalists on August 24, Kim said he believes the recent investigation by the tax authorities is nothing more than an attempt by Your Excellency’s government to gain control of Vecherny Bishkek.
This attempt, in turn, seems politically motivated. In the past few months, Vecherny Bishkekhas covered the political opposition, including a series of articles about possible contenders for the presidential election scheduled to take place next year.
Numerous people have spoken out against the recent attacks, including Kanybek Imanaliev, head of your own Press Service. In an article published today in Vecherny Bishkek,Imanaliev is quoted as saying he believes the investigation is unfounded.
As a nonpartisan organization of journalists devoted to defending press freedom around the world, CPJ condemns the recent harassment of Alexander Kim and Vecherny Bishkek.We are alarmed that, despite the apparent lack of legal basis for the charges, you have allowed this case to proceed. We ask that you use the powers of your office to ensure that all unwarranted charges against Kim and the newspaper are dropped immediately.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We await your comments.
Sincerely,
Ann K. Cooper
Executive Director
Join CPJ in Protesting Attacks on the Press in Kyrgyzstan
Send a letter to:
His Excellency Askar Akayev
President of Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Via Fax: 011-7-3312-218627