Kyrgyzstan: unprecedented intimidation of journalists and media

The Association for Human Rights in Central Asia expresses its concern about unprecedented pressure on the media outlets: Kloop.kg and Radio Azattyk (Kyrgyz service of Radio Free Europe - Radio Free Europe (Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty.Inc)).

Both media outlets recently published the results of investigations into corruption linked to high ranking officials in Kyrgyzstan:  Radio Azattyk, OCCRP and Kloop.kg - “Joint investments in Dubai. Connection between the Matraimov and Abdukadir families” (November 21, 2019); Radio Azattyk, OCCRP and Kloop.kg - “The Killing of Saimaiti. An unfulfilled promise” (November 21, 2019), Radio Azattyk, OCCRP and Kloop.kg - Clans, corruption and smuggling on the Silk Road (November 21, 2019);Radio Azattyk, OCCRP and Kloop.kg - Shadow Couriers. How millions of dollars in cash are taken out of Kyrgyzstan” (December 3, 2019); Radio Azattyk, OCCRP and Kloop.kg - “How the Abdukadir clan transported millions of dollars through shadow couriers” (December 3, 2019) and 24.kg which reprinted articles on smuggling schemes and the alleged withdrawal of $ 700 million .

In the articles the authors disclose links and actions of high-ranking officials of Kyrgyzstan, which  deserve the attention both the law enforcement and judicial bodies of Kyrgyzstan and also of the international community. In response to the publication of the findings of their investigations Sverdlovsk District Court of Bishkek issued a ruling on 12 December 2019, approving the seizure of bank accounts belonging to Kloop.kg, Radio Azattyk and 24.kg in response to a libel claim brought by Iskender Matraimov – parliamentary deputy in Kyrgyzstan, his wife Minovar Dzhumaeva, his brother Raimbek Matraimov former deputy head of the State Customs Service and his wife Uulkan Turgunova, as  well as the charity "Ismail Matraimov Foundation".

In their legal complaint the Matraimov family demanded damages from Radio Azattyk  of 22.5 million Kyrgyz soms (KGS) (about $ 320 thousand); “Kloop.kg” - 12.5 million KGS ($ 177.7 thousand), “24.kg”  - 15 million KGS ($ 213.2 thousand), and from Ali Toktakunov, Azattyk correspondent - 10 million KGS (about $ 142.2 thousand).

  

These disproportionate and harsh penalties imposed by the court have obstructed the activities of the three media outlets, Kloop.kg, Radio Azattyk and 24.kg, and contributed to their financial ruin.

       

Although all persons, against whom the allegations were made in these journalistic investigations, have the right to dispute these allegations, the Kyrgyz authorities must ensure equality of all parties for legal assessment of evidence, provided in the journalistic investigation observing the principles of fair trial, judicial independence and security of all participants in court hearings. Court must also take into consideration that recently Aieriken Saimaiti, who had contributed to these journalistic investigations was shot dead  in the center of Istanbul (Turkey).

     

The Association for Human Rights in Central Asia appeals to international human rights organizations, diplomatic missions of the countries of the democratic community - to urge the Kyrgyz authorities to fulfill its international obligations in the field of protecting freedom of speech and providing conditions for an independent judicial investigation.