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Kyrgyzstan: Independent Media Raids Stir Public Outrage

Independent media outlets in Kyrgyzstan begged the government to halt its persistent attacks on January 17, following a series of arrests this week that resulted in over a dozen detentions.

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Independent media in Kyrgyzstan begged the government on January 17th to halt its persistent...
Independent media in Kyrgyzstan begged the government on January 17th to halt its persistent attacks, resulting in over a dozen arrests this week.

Kyrgyzstan: Independent Media Raids Stir Public Outrage

In Kyrgyzstan's Media Crusade: An Odyssey of Independent Journalism Under Siege

It's a chilling Janary in Kyrgyzstan as the embattled media community cry out for a halt to the government's relentless onslaught on independent news outlets. The latest victim in this saga is YouTuber Bolot Temirov's channel, Temirov Live, which was raided on the frosty morning of January 16 by police officers. The seized equipment numbered over 160 pieces, and at least 11 individuals- including both current and former staffers at the outlet - were arrested. Among the detanees was Temirov's wife, Makhabat Tajibek kyzy, who runs the sister channel Ait Ait Dese.

The beleaguered Temirov, expelled from Kyrgyzstan in November 2022 following the revocation of his citizenship, accused the Interior Minister Ulan Niyazbekov of engineered retribution over an exposé published by Temirov Live. In an interview with Kyrgyz businessman Alexei Gavrilov, Gavrilov accused Niyazbekov of overseeing forcible business takovers and the harassment of journalists.

Just a day prior, the overseas offices of local news agency 24.kg were raided by Kyrgyzstan's security services. The trio of senior management officials were apprehended and questioned over allegations of war propaganda. The specific content that had piqued the GKNB's interest remains unclear. Online speculation posits a link to an August 2023 article about a Kyrgyz national fighting in the Ukrainian military.

The recent raids have intensified public outrage both domestically and internationally. Press freedom advocates staged a press conference on January 17, denouncing the government's alleged attempts to exert "unprecedented pressure on the media." Kyrgyzstan Media Action Platform head Tamara Valiyeva stated that the searches, detentions, and interrogations served to intimidate journalists, while Zhanar Akayev, an MP, cautioned that the imprisonment of reporters could harm the entire country.

The government, however, maintains that any entities receiving foreign funding should be accountable for any potential threats to the country's stability. Speaker of parliament Nurlanbek Shakiyev justified this stance, remarking, "We have the freedom to express ourselves, but there must be limits to idle chatter to ensure our country's stability."

Deputy Culture Minister Marat Tagayev asked the public to refrain from branding the detention of journalists as "pressure on freedom of speech." Tagayev, a former employee of Radio Azattyk, argued that journalism in Kyrgyzstan had degenerated and required reform. "Kyrgyz journalism has deteriorated and become superficial, with exaggerated information becoming commonplace," he told his former employer.

Yet, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called upon Kyrgyz authorities to safeguard freedom of expression and to ensure that laws regulating journalism comply with international standards. Similar appeals have arrived from several international advocacy groups, including the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Human Rights Watch, and Civil Rights Defenders, urging Kyrgyz authorities to uphold their international obligations and cease their repressive actions against independent media outlets and journalists.

Looking back, 2024 saw the shutdown of Kloop, a prominent independent news outlet, after its reporting was deemed detrimental to government institutions. Despite the court order, Kloop continued to publish from outside the country and, in recognition of its efforts, received the IPI-IMS Free Media Pioneer award. The following year, the Kyrgyz Supreme Court sentenced three Temirov Live journalists to prison, with Makhabat Tajibek kyzy receiving a six-year term. In April 2025, Kyrgyz prosecutors sued Aprel TV for its allegedly negative and destructive coverage of the government.

The persistent crackdown on independent media in Kyrgyzstan mirrors a broader pattern of increasing authoritarianism and the suppression of dissent. The international community has responded with condemnation and calls for greater freedom of expression. The timeline of events, motivations, and international responses serve as grim reminders of the ongoing struggle for press freedom in Kyrgyzstan.

  1. The latest events in Kyrgyzstan's media landscape have sparked discussion in various spheres, with entertainment, politics, and general-news outlets covering the ongoing crackdown on independent journalism.
  2. Businesses and opinion leaders are also expressing concern over the government's actions, such as Kyrgyz businessman Alexei Gavrilov, who accused Interior Minister Ulan Niyazbekov of overseeing forced business takeovers and journalist harassment.
  3. International news agencies, like the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, have weighed in, urging Kyrgyz authorities to safeguard freedom of expression and comply with international standards.
  4. The growing number of independent media outlets facing repressive actions has caught the attention of advocacy groups, such as the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Human Rights Watch, and Civil Rights Defenders, who have escalated their calls for the Kyrgyz government to uphold its international obligations and cease its actions against the media.

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