Vienna, Austria
Freedom For Eurasia strongly condemns the decision issued on October 27, 2025 by Judge U.A. Abdyrakhmanov of the Oktyabrsky District Court of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, at the urging of Prosecutor N.U. Salaidinova, and Representative of the Main Investigative Department of State Committee of National Security Narmatov T.T. to declare the media projects “Temirov Live,” “Kloop.kg,” and “Ait Ait Dese,” as well as the activities of journalists Bolot Mamatkasymovich Temirov and Rinat Rustamovich Tukhvatshin, as extremist. This ruling represents a blatant attack on freedom of expression, independent media and the rule of law in Kyrgyzstan.
However, the court did not identify a single specific article, video, or report that could be considered extremist. Instead, the verdict relies entirely on two opaque expert opinions, one linguistic and one psychological which astonishingly define investigative journalism as “informational extremism” and “psychological terrorism.
One expert wrote:
“The materials contain linguistic signs of extremist activity as informational extremism, aimed at discrediting the ruling power and the state, creating a negative image of the Kyrgyz Republic and its authorities.”
Another concluded:
“The materials include hidden manipulations aimed at undermining the authority of the current government… These materials can be evaluated as psychological terrorism.”
Judge U.A. Abdyrakhmanov of the Oktyabrsky District Court of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
The trial was conducted without the participation of the media representatives or their legal counsel. The court proceeded in their absence, in direct contradiction to the principles guaranteed by the Constitution and the Civil Procedure Code of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Freedom for Eurasia emphasizes that the decision disregards the Kyrgyz Republic’s obligations under international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to protect freedom of expression and ensure fair and transparent judicial processes. The court’s reliance on broad and ill-defined concepts of extremism to justify the ban creates a chilling effect on freedom of expression and allows the government to target not only journalists but every Kyrgyz citizen who dares to read, discuss, or question those in power.
This court ruling represents an alarming escalation in the repression of independent journalism in Kyrgyzstan. By branding journalistic reporting as extremism and terrorism, the authorities are creating a climate of fear, silencing watchdog voices and criminalizing legitimate criticism of those in power.
Freedom for Eurasia warns that the consequences of this ruling go far beyond the affected media outlets. Once materials are labeled “extremist,” any interaction with the contentsuch as liking, sharing, or commenting on past or future publications could be interpreted as supporting extremism, exposing ordinary citizens to prosecution.
Disturbingly, the court decision also inexplicably lists N. Zviagina, an individual with no known connection to ‘Temirov Live,’ ‘Kloop.kg,’ ‘Ait Ait Dese,’ or journalists Bolot Mamatkasymovich Temirov and Rinat Rustamovich Tukhvatshin. Given that N. Zviagina is believed to be Natalia Zviagina, the Director of Amnesty International Russia, Freedom for Eurasia suspects that her name was erroneously copy-pasted into the document from an unrelated file by the National Security Committee, raising serious questions about the integrity and accuracy of the entire legal process. We demand that Kyrgyz authorities immediately provide a transparent explanation for this egregious and alarming inclusion.
Freedom For Eurasia calls on the Kyrgyz government to:
- Immediately reverse the court’s decision and allow “Temirov Live,” “Kloop.kg,” and “Ait Ait Dese” to resume their operations without fear of reprisal.
- Cease all forms of harassment and intimidation against independent journalists and media outlets.
- Uphold its international obligations to protect freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
- Reform its legislation on extremism to ensure that it is in line with international human rights standards and does not unduly restrict freedom of expression.
Freedom For Eurasia also calls on international organizations and democratic governments to:
- Publicly condemn the Kyrgyz government’s actions and demand that it respect freedom of expression.
- Impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, on Judge U.A. Abdyrakhmanov, Prosecutor N.U. Salaidinova and Representative of the Main Investigative Department of State Committee of National Security Narmatov T.T. for their roles in this politically motivated persecution of independent media.
- Provide support and assistance to independent media outlets and journalists in Kyrgyzstan who are facing increasing pressure.