Kyrgyzstan: Criminal Investigation Launched Against Bayan Jumagulova Over Facebook Post
Women Press Freedom is deeply concerned about the escalating state crackdown on independent press
Location: Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
Date: June 15, 2024
Women Press Freedom resoundingly denounces the unjust criminal charges filed against retired journalist Bayan Jumagulova. The former Radio Free Europe journalist was visiting her home from Germany, when she was summoned for questioning by Kyrgyz police over her Facebook posts. Over the last year, Kyrgyz authorities have targeted several journalists and activists with similar ludicrous charges for their social media use. The court has also ordered the shutdown of the lauded independent news site Kloop, while authorities have conducted mass raids on independent media outlets, detaining several journalists. This state-led crackdown on dissent is deeply concerning and must cease. We demand the immediate dropping of all criminal charges against Jumagulova, the lifting of the travel ban issued against her, and an end to the targeting of press critical of the government.
On June 15, 2024, Bayan Jumagulova, a 65-year-old retired journalist and former Azattyk (Radio Free Europe) correspondent, was summoned for interrogation at the Sverdlovsk District Police Department in Bishkek.
Jumagulova, who resides in Germany but had recently flown to Kyrgyzstan, faced questioning related to a criminal case initiated due to her Facebook posts.
The former journalist says that two people identifying themselves as investigators first visited her home and demanded her appearance at the police station. Refusing to comply without a formal summons, she was swiftly presented with one. At the police station, her phone was confiscated and its contents copied. Insisting on legal representation before making any statements, she was released.
Accompanied by her lawyer on a later visit two days later, Jumagulova learned that her social media activities had been under surveillance. Her posts were subjected to linguistic analysis as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. She was informed that her use of the word "arapkul" had triggered charges under Article 313 of the Kyrgyz Republic Criminal Code, about incitement of hatred. The term “arapkul” can be interpreted as “succumbing to Arab influence”. The context of the posts that attracted the attention of the police is unknown.
Authorities have prohibited Jumagulova from leaving the country and summoned her for further proceedings on June 22 to discuss potential pre-trial restrictions. She has also been told not to post any content on social media. The Sverdlovsk District Police Department has not issued any public statements regarding her case.
Worryingly, this is not an isolated case. In the last year, there have been several cases where
criminal proceedings were initiated against Kyrgyz journalists and activists over social media posts. In August 2023, Aizhan Myrsan, a blogger known for her outspoken views, was fined and criminally charged for allegedly
“inciting ethnic hatred” based on an edited video clip from one of her social media live sessions. Myrsan denies the accusations, claiming the video was manipulated and taken out of context. She believes the charges against her are politically motivated, as she had not received any prior complaints.
Last month, a district court sentenced writer Olzhobai Shakir to five years in prison under Article 278, Part 3, for calls to actively disobey lawful demands of authorities and mass disturbances. The investigation alleged that Shakir's social media pages, including Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, contained provocative materials. In a similar case, in April 2024, the City Court overturned a previous decision of probationary supervision for activist Zarina Torokulova and placed her under arrest. Torokulova was also detained for her Facebook posts, which the investigation claimed were provocative.
State Crackdown on Independent Media
Kyrgyzstan, traditionally known for its vibrant civil society and independent media in Central Asia, is witnessing an escalating government crackdown on independent press. Women Press Freedom has repeatedly expressed concerns over the erosion of press freedom in the country in recent years. Kyrgyzstan’s ranking in Reporters Without Borders press freedom report has dropped from 72nd in 2022 to 122nd out of 180 countries in 2023.
This clampdown on independent media was frighteningly evident in January this year when Kyrgyz authorities conducted raids on several media offices and journalists' homes, leading to the detention of 11 journalists. Among those detained were Makhabat Tazhibek Kyzy and Aike Beyshekeeva, journalists associated with independent outlet Temirov Live. Both remain behind bars. In March, Tazhibek Kyzy reported mistreatment by prison officers, including physical abuse.
In a trial decried by activists and lawyers as farcical, in February 2024 a Bishkek court issued a ruling to liquidate the Kloop Media Public Foundation, the parent organization of independent investigative outlet Kloop. Despite the ruling and other growing threats to their profession, Klopp's reporters vowed to continue reporting.
Women Press Freedom calls for the immediate dropping of all charges against Bayan Jumagulova, the lifting of her travel restrictions, and an end to the targeting of journalists and activists for their lawful expressions. This state-led crackdown on media freedom is deeply concerning and must cease. Kyrgyzstan must uphold its international obligations to safeguard press freedom and protect freedom of speech without prejudice.
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