EU must seek justice for Kyrgyz journalist Azimjon Askarov in upcoming talks
Brussels, June 2, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on European Union officials to use upcoming talks with the Kyrgyzstan government to seek justice for the death of imprisoned journalist Azimjon Askarov. Askarov died in prison on July 25, 2020, as CPJ documented at the time; he had been sick in prison…
Kyrgyz journalist Kanat Kanimetov questioned, family harassed by authorities
Stockholm, May 3, 2021 — Kyrgyz authorities should cease their harassment of journalist Kanat Kanimetov and allow him to work freely and without fear, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 11, officers of the Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security (GKNB) summoned Kanimetov, a reporter and presenter with the independent television broadcaster Aprel, to their headquarters…
Journalists detained, attacked while covering Kyrgyzstan referendum vote
Stockholm, April 13, 2021 — Kyrgyz authorities should investigate the harassment of journalists covering elections and ensure that members of the press can work freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 11, police officers detained at least four journalists covering voting in Kyrgyzstan’s local elections and a nationwide constitutional referendum,…
Kyrgyz journalists on the online ‘fake farms’ that threaten to kill them
“At first, they appeared on my Instagram, then they showed up on my Facebook and YouTube accounts,” Ali Toktakunov told CPJ in a phone interview. The investigative Kyrgyz journalist and founder of Ali Toktakunov’s Media Hub, a foundation for investigative journalism, says he is a frequent target of trolls or fake social media accounts that…
Journalists and media offices threatened, attacked in Kyrgyzstan as post-election unrest continues
New York, October 15, 2020 – Kyrgyz authorities should immediately arrest and prosecute those responsible for threatening and attacking journalists covering post-election unrest in the country, and implement measures to protect members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. In Kyrgyzstan, a number of attacks on journalists and threats to media outlets…
Journalists attacked, obstructed during and after parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan
New York, October 6, 2020 – Kyrgyz authorities should create safe conditions for members of the press covering post-election unrest in Kyrgyzstan, and stop attacking journalists who are doing their job, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Officials in Kyrgyzstan today voided the results of the October 4 parliamentary election after mass protests broke…
Kyrgyz authorities arrest Uzbek journalist following extradition request
New York, August 11, 2020 – Kyrgyzstan authorities should immediately release Uzbek journalist Bobomurod Abdullaev and allow him to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On August 9, officers with the Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security detained Abdullaev, a freelance journalist and Uzbek national, in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, according to…
Journalist Azimjon Askarov dies in prison in Kyrgyzstan
New York, July 25, 2020 – In response to the death of award-winning journalist and human rights activist Azimjon Askarov in a Kyrgyzstan prison today, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Azimjon Askarov’s death is a direct result of Kyrgyzstan authorities’ disregard for his health and basic human rights. This is a…
Kyrgyzstan draft legislation empowers government to block ‘false information’ online
New York, June 25, 2020 – Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbay Jeenbekov should reject recently proposed legislation that would mark a serious step toward curtailing press freedom in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Today, the country’s parliament held the second and third readings of proposed legislation called “On Manipulating Information” and passed it…
Office of independent TV station 3 Kanal firebombed in Kyrgyzstan
New York, June 9, 2020 – Kyrgyzstan authorities should conduct a quick and thorough investigation into the arson attack on the office of the 3 Kanal broadcaster, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At around 7 a.m. on June 7, unidentified attackers threw a Molotov cocktail through a window of the independent television station’s…