Kyrgyzstan / Europe & Central Asia

  
The Kyrgyzstan Supreme Court today upheld journalist and human rights defender Azimjon Askarov’s life sentence in prison. (Photo: Askarov family)

CPJ condemns Kyrgyz supreme court decision upholding Azimjon Askarov’s life sentence

New York, May 13, 2020 – In response to today’s decision by Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Court to uphold journalist and human rights defender Azimjon Askarov’s life sentence and deny his final appeal, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement:

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A National Guard officer is seen in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on March 26, 2020. CPJ recently spoke with several people close to imprisoned journalists in Europe and Central Asia about the challenges of observing Ramadan behind bars. (AFP/Vyacheslav Oseledko)

COVID-19 lockdowns pose challenges for imprisoned journalists observing Ramadan

This year, the Islamic month of Ramadan, which started on April 24 and will continue through May 23, is particularly challenging for Muslim journalists in jail to observe safely, their family members and friends told CPJ.

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Law enforcement officers are seen in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on March 26, 2020. CPJ recently joined a letter expressing concern over media restrictions in the country. (Reuters/Vladimir Pirogov)

CPJ joins letter expressing concern about Kyrgyzstan media restrictions during pandemic

CPJ and 23 other members of IFEX, a global network of free expression organizations, sent a letter yesterday expressing concern over the press freedom implications of Kyrgyzstan’s COVID-19 state of emergency, which has been in place since March 22.

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Journalist Azimjon Askarov has been imprisoned in Kyrgyzstan since 2010 on trumped-up charges. Photo provided by Askarov's family.

Kyrgyz president must release journalist Azimjon Askarov amid COVID-19 epidemic

CPJ today joined eight other human rights and press freedom organizations to call for the immediate release of journalist and human rights defender Azimjon Askarov, who has been serving a life sentence in retaliation for his reporting since June 2010.

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Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov is seen in Bishkek on December 25, 2019. Khadicha Askarova, the wife of imprisoned journalist Azimjon Askarov, recently wrote a letter to Jeenbekov pleading for the journalist’s release. (AFP/Vyacheslav Oseledko)

Wife of imprisoned journalist Azimjon Askarov calls for his release as COVID-19 hits Kyrgyzstan

On March 11, Khadicha Askarova, the wife of imprisoned journalist Azimjon Askarov, wrote a letter to Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbay Jeenbekov pleading for the journalist’s release.

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Journalist Azimjon Askarov is seen at a court in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on October 11, 2016. The country’s Supreme Court is set to hear Askarov’s appeal tomorrow. (AP/Vladimir Voronin)

Kyrgyzstan Supreme Court to hear appeal of journalist Azimjon Askarov

New York, February 24, 2020 — Kyrgyzstan authorities should not contest the appeal of journalist and human rights defender Azimjon Askarov and should release him immediately, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Kyrgyz police officers are seen in Bishkek on August 30, 2016. Kyrgyz journalist Bolot Temirov was assaulted today in Bishkek. (AP/Vladimir Voronin)

Investigative journalist Bolot Temirov assaulted in Kyrgyzstan

New York, January 9, 2020 — Kyrgyzstan authorities should conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the assault of journalist Bolot Temirov and ensure that reporters can cover corruption allegations without fearing for their safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Police officers are seen in Koi-Tash, Kyrgyzstan, on August 8, 2019. CPJ recently joined a letter urging the Kyrgyz government to stop harassing journalists. (AP/Vladimir Voronin)

CPJ joins call for Kyrgyzstan to ensure safety of journalists covering corruption

CPJ and four other international organizations today sent a letter to Kyrgyzstan authorities demanding they stop harassing local journalists who have covered alleged official corruption, and urging authorities to investigate threats and attacks against journalists.

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Alisher Saipov is seen on October 24, 2007, the day he was killed. Kyrgyzstan authorities recently reopened an investigation into his killing. (Photo provided to CPJ by Saipov family)

Kyrgyzstan reopens investigation into 2007 killing of journalist Alisher Saipov

Washington, D.C., October 3, 2019 — Kyrgyzstan should conduct an open and thorough reinvestigation into the killing of journalist Alisher Saipov, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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CPJ calls on UN Secretary-General Guterres to push for release of Azimjon Askarov in Kyrgyzstan

CPJ writes to UN Secretary-General António Guterres urging him to call on the government of Kyrgyzstan to release unjustly imprisoned journalist and human rights defender Azimjon Askarov.

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