It should be reminded that on March 10, the Supreme Court annulled the previously issued sentence and sent the case for a new hearing.
Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s representative for Central Asia and Europe, noted: "We welcome the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the sentence for Mahabat Tajibek kyzy. This is an important step towards justice and the protection of press freedom."
The organization also emphasized that the journalist's case has generated significant international response, and human rights organizations have repeatedly called for a review of the issued sentence.
In the CPJ statement, it is highlighted that the Supreme Court's annulment of the sentence instills hope for a fair consideration of the case. They urged the authorities of Kyrgyzstan to ensure the protection of media freedom and to cease pressure on independent journalists.
In January 2024, Mahabat Tajibek kyzy was arrested along with ten colleagues from Temirov Live. They were charged with organizing mass riots. On February 25, 2025, the judicial panel of the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan reviewed the appeal of three of the detained journalists and upheld the previous sentence: Mahabat was sentenced to six years in prison, Azamat Ishenbekov received five years, and Aike Beishikeeva was given three years of probation. Aktilek Kaparov, who received three years of probation, did not appeal this decision. The other seven were acquitted due to lack of evidence of a crime.
In 2026, Mahabat Tajibek kyzy's defense filed a petition to reopen the case based on newly discovered circumstances.
