Gulnoza Said, CPJ's Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator, emphasized: “The release of Mahabat Tajibek kyzy is an important and rare step forward for a country that has recently often found itself in the spotlight for negative reasons. However, this is not enough. She should not have spent a single day in prison on clearly fabricated charges. The authorities of Kyrgyzstan must conclude the case by dropping all charges against her.”
Recall that on October 10, 2024, the Lenin District Court of Bishkek issued a verdict under which Tajibek kyzy was sentenced to six years in prison. This verdict was upheld by the Bishkek City Court, and the Supreme Court confirmed it in February 2025.
The journalist's defense filed a petition for a review of the case due to newly discovered circumstances, and the Supreme Court decided to send the case back for reconsideration to the district court.
Previously, international human rights organizations and representatives of the media community called for a review of the court decision regarding Mahabat Tajibek kyzy.
Mahabat Tajibek kyzy is a journalist and the head of the Temirov LIVE project, as well as the wife of investigative journalist Bolot Temirov. Together, they conducted anti-corruption investigations that received significant public attention. It is worth noting that Bolot Temirov was previously expelled from Kyrgyzstan and stripped of his citizenship.
