After the release of Tajibek kyzy, which followed a court decision prohibiting her from leaving the country until the case is reconsidered, Marie Strazhers, the director of Amnesty International for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, noted: "While the release of Mahabat Tajibek kyzy from detention is an important step toward justice and allows her to see her son, it does not negate the violations she has already endured and those that may occur in the future."
She also emphasized that the authorities of Kyrgyzstan must immediately drop all charges and lift the travel ban.
The Kyrgyz authorities are obliged to promptly drop the charges against Mahabat Tajibek kyzy, lift the travel ban, and provide her with the opportunity to defend her rights, considering the violations that have already occurred.Amnesty International also points out that the persecution of Tajibek kyzy and her colleagues negatively impacts independent journalism in the country.
In a statement, the organization said: "The persecution of Mahabat Tajibek kyzy and her colleagues from Temirov LIVE and 'Ayt ait dese' poses a threat to investigative journalists across the country. No journalist should face criminal prosecution for covering issues of public interest. The authorities must uphold Kyrgyzstan's international human rights obligations, ensure safe conditions for independent journalism, and respect the right to freedom of expression."
It is worth noting that on March 23, the Leninsky District Court of Bishkek released Mahabat Tajibek kyzy after more than two years of detention, replacing the preventive measure with a travel ban. This decision was the result of a ruling by the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan on March 10, which overturned the previous sentence and ordered a new hearing of the case.
Tajibek kyzy was arrested in January 2024 along with other journalists and staff from the independent media projects Temirov LIVE and "Ayt ait dese," who were investigating alleged corruption schemes in Kyrgyzstan. She and her colleague Azamat Ishembekov were charged with "calls for mass riots." In October 2024, the court sentenced them to six and five years of imprisonment, respectively.
Mahabat's husband, Bolot Temirov, was stripped of Kyrgyz citizenship and left the country.
Azamat Ishembekov was released in April 2025 as a result of a presidential pardon.
Photo on the main page - still from Kaktus.media video.
