Such developments have alarmed rights teams and journalists.
Footage posted on social media reveals members of the safety forces sporting masks and caps getting into the 24.KG newsroom within the capital, Bishkek, after which placing a number of workers right into a minibus with none distinguishing marks.
The company faces legal fees over one article in regards to the conflict in Ukraine, editor-in-chief Machinur Nijazova stated earlier than being dragged right into a minibus.
“Disturbing occasions. The safety providers sealed the workplace,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) journalist Kubat Kasymbekov wrote on social networks, including that 24.KG CEO Asel Otorbajeva was additionally detained. .
Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic that used to get pleasure from extra political freedoms than different Central Asian international locations, has seen an rising crackdown on the press in recent times.
Final 12 months, impartial US-funded media retailers Kloop Media and Radio Azattyk confronted authorities makes an attempt to close them down, sending Kyrgyzstan down 50 locations on the World Press Freedom Index.
The raid on the editorial workplace of 24.KG came about 4 days after safety officers arrested dozens of individuals suspected of getting ties to exiled opposition activist Tilekmat Kurenov and businessman Imamidin Tašov.
The Brussels-based rights group Worldwide Partnership for Human Rights known as the raid on the workplace of 24.KG “a deeply disturbing occasion”.
“Computer systems, laptops, digital media and different proof of the legal case have been seized,” the web site of “24.KG” states.
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2024-06-25 21:14:24