International condemnation as supreme court rejects appeals
The Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan has upheld the prison sentences of two journalists convicted of inciting mass unrest, in a move widely condemned by international human rights organisations as a direct assault on press freedom.
On Tuesday, the country’s highest court confirmed the six-year sentence for Makhabat Tazhibek Kyzy and the five-year term for Azamat Ishenbekov, both of whom had been accused, alongside nine other journalists, of allegedly organising mass riots.
In reality, the pair had been reporting on government corruption—a fact that rights groups argue has made them targets of state repression.
“This ruling is a clear attempt to silence independent journalism and intimidate the press,” said a spokesperson for Reporters Without Borders. “It sets a dangerous precedent for media freedom in Kyrgyzstan.”
Rapid trial raises questions about judicial independence
The journalists’ final appeal was reviewed in a hearing that lasted just 20 minutes, during which the incarcerated reporters were not even brought to court. Their convictions were upheld without further deliberation, deepening concerns over judicial fairness and due process in Kyrgyzstan.
Their lawyer, Nursultan Zhanybekov, expressed disappointment at the verdict, stating:
“We had hoped that Makhabat and Azamat would be released, or at the very least, that their sentences would be reduced. But it’s clear that the courts are following a political agenda rather than seeking justice.”
The trial has drawn comparisons to previous crackdowns on press freedom in Kyrgyzstan, a country that once prided itself on being the most democratic in Central Asia but has seen increasing state control over independent media.
Background: A case of political retaliation?
The charges against Tazhibek Kyzy and Ishenbekov stem from their reporting on government corruption and mismanagement. Alongside them, nine other journalists were arrested in October 2024—two of whom were later given probationary sentences, while the others were acquitted due to lack of evidence.
Rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have criticised the case as politically motivated, arguing that the government is using vague “incitement” laws to justify repression.
“Kyrgyzstan is moving dangerously towards authoritarianism,” warned Human Rights Watch. “Jailing journalists for exposing corruption is the mark of a government that fears accountability.”
The verdict has also sparked criticism from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which stated that press freedom is under severe threat in Kyrgyzstan.
Exiled journalist calls it a ‘dictatorship’
Among the most vocal critics of the ruling is Bolot Temirov, the exiled husband of Tazhibek Kyzy, who has himself faced government persecution for his investigative journalism.
In an interview with OCCRP, Temirov denounced the court’s decision as an example of state-sponsored intimidation.
“The authorities are acting like terrorists—intimidating journalists, taking them hostage, and silencing dissent. This is no longer a democracy; it’s a dictatorship,” he said.
Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, Temirov vowed to continue the fight for press freedom. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he called the ruling a sign of the government’s weakness rather than strength:
“This verdict only proves how scared the regime is of independent journalism. We won’t back down. We will keep fighting for Kyrgyzstan’s future.”
Press crackdown reflects a wider trend
The imprisonment of Tazhibek Kyzy and Ishenbekov is part of a broader crackdown on free speech in Kyrgyzstan, where authorities have increasingly targeted investigative journalists, opposition figures, and activists.
In recent years, multiple independent media outlets have been raided, fined, or shut down under new restrictive laws, while journalists have faced harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary detention.
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“The Kyrgyz government is systematically dismantling press freedoms,” said Gulnoza Said, of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). “If the international community does not take action, more journalists will be imprisoned on fabricated charges.”
Calls for international pressure
With press freedom under siege, human rights groups are urging the European Union, the United Nations, and Western governments to take a stronger stance against Kyrgyzstan’s repressive policies.
“The international community must condemn these sentences and apply diplomatic pressure on Kyrgyzstan’s government,” said a representative from Amnesty International.
Sanctions, travel bans, and the suspension of aid have all been suggested as possible measures to hold Kyrgyzstan accountable for its violations of press freedom.
The road ahead
For now, Tazhibek Kyzy and Ishenbekov remain behind bars, their futures uncertain. But their supporters—both inside and outside Kyrgyzstan—remain determined to challenge the government’s assault on free expression.
As protests and international appeals grow, the world is watching whether Kyrgyz authorities will bow to pressure or continue their slide into authoritarianism.
For independent journalism in Central Asia, the stakes have never been higher.
