The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has expressed concern over a Kyrgyz court's recent decision to cease the operations of Kloop Media. On August 22, 2023, Kloop Media published a journalistic investigation focusing on corruption schemes undertaken by top officials in Kyrgyzstan – and later published more material criticizing the president of the republic and his relatives.
Gulnoza Said, CPJ's Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, stated that the closure of Kloop, a highly esteemed media outlet in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia, indicates the Kyrgyz government’s intent to dismantle the investigative journalism hub that previously set the country apart from its authoritarian neighbours.
This follows the mass arrest of journalists linked with the anti-corruption publication Temorov Live last month. Said urged the Kyrgyz authorities to permit Kloop to continue its operations, halt its increasing crackdown on the press, and ensure the free operation of independent media.
On February 9, Bishkek’s Oktyabrsky District Court approved a motion by the city prosecutor to shut down Kloop Media, citing that its charter does not encompass journalistic activities.
Anna Kapushenko, the editor-in-chief of Kloop, informed CPJ that the publication disputes the allegations and intends to continue its operations until the appeal is heard.
On August 28, 2023, it was revealed that Emilbek Abdymannapov, the Prosecutor of Bishkek, had filed a lawsuit to dissolve the public foundation Kloop Media. The lawsuit alleges that most of Kloop Media’s publications are negative and aimed at discrediting representatives of state and municipal bodies.
The prosecutor’s office also accuses the public fund of hiding significant funds.
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