“This is an important step towards justice and the protection of press freedom”
On March 10, the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic made a decision to overturn the conviction of journalist Mahabat Tajibek kyzy, sending the case for re-examination. This step was positively received by various international human rights organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Gulnoza Said, CPJ's representative for Europe and Central Asia, noted: “We are pleased that the Supreme Court has decided to overturn Mahabat Tajibek kyzy's conviction. This is a significant step towards justice and the protection of press freedom.”
The journalist's case attracted the attention of the global community, which has repeatedly called on Kyrgyz authorities to reconsider the verdict.
CPJ expressed hope that the new court decision would ensure a fair hearing of the case. The organization also called for the protection of media freedom and an end to pressure on independent journalists in the country.
It is worth noting that in January 2024, Mahabat Tajibek kyzy was detained along with ten colleagues from Temirov Live and was charged with organizing mass riots.
On February 25, 2025, the Supreme Court reviewed the appeal of three journalists among the detained eleven but upheld the decisions of previous instances: Mahabat was sentenced to six years in prison, Azamat Ishenbekov to five years, while Aike Beyshikeeva and Aktilek Kaparov were given three years of probation each. The other seven defendants were acquitted due to lack of evidence of a crime.
In 2026, Mahabat Tajibek kyzy's lawyers filed a petition to resume the court proceedings based on newly discovered circumstances.
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