Kyrygzstan - January 2024

International human rights groups called for Kyrgyzstan to drop criminal charges against six independent media organizations on 16 January following police raids on the homes of numerous journalists and newsrooms. The Interior Ministry claims it is investigating “war propaganda” and “calls to mass disorder” in the media outlets’ reporting, under various statutes which carry penalties of up to eight years in prison. It is unclear what reporting the charges relate to, although journalists from the 24.kg news agency’s questioning indicated some are related to their coverage of Russia’s war on Ukraine. The raids come in the wake of legal pressure such as the attempted closures and blocking of websites of other independent and critical media outlets in recent months, and a draft media law that has been criticized by United Nations experts, domestic media, and rights organizations as overly restrictive.

Update: On 10 October 2024, a Bishkek court sentenced two journalists from Temirov Live for organizing “calls for mass unrest” to five and six years in prison. Two more were given three years’ probation. The sentences were condemned by local journalists and international press freedom watchdogs.

Sources: Eurasianet, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Azattyk, United Nations, International IDEA, The Diplomat, Committee to Protect Journalists