Temirov Live journalists were detained on January 16 after Police raided news outlets. They are charged with “inciting mass unrest”.

According to the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, “During the monitoring of the Internet space, information was discovered on the pages of [the media outlet websites] “Ait Ait Deze” and “Temirov Live” which “contains signs of calls to protest actions and mass unrest.”

Media representatives have been detained for nearly two months. Local and foreign media, including the BIC's partner OCCRP, and human rights organizations are calling on Kyrgyzstan Authorities to release all detained current and former members of Temirov Live.

Amnesty International representative Maisy Weicherding demanded that the authorities in Kyrgyzstan “stop their repression of dissent and immediately and unconditionally free these journalists and all others who have been thrown behind bars solely for freely expressing their views and ideas.”

Kyrgyz journalists highlight that the problem of restricting freedom of speech is relevant for all news outlets and media organizations in the country.

They are forced to work under extreme pressure. For example, the media outlet Kloop was ordered to close. During the raids at the the editorial office of the news outlet 24.kg security forces confiscated equipment.

According to a Reporters Without Borders report, there were 521 journalists behind bars worldwide at the end of 2023. 

In the World's countries ranking by the number of media workers in prison, Belarus is in third place with 39 people in December 2023 year.