(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ has expressed great concern about the recent harassment of Alexander Kim, chief editor of the independent daily “Vecherny Bishkek”. On 24 August 1999, representatives from the Kyrgyz State Tax Police attempted to arrest Kim on charges of tax evasion and ordered him to provide a number of the newspaper’s financial documents. Kim […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ has expressed great concern about the recent harassment of
Alexander Kim, chief editor of the independent daily “Vecherny Bishkek”.
On 24 August 1999, representatives from the Kyrgyz State Tax Police
attempted to arrest Kim on charges of tax evasion and ordered him to provide
a number of the newspaper’s financial documents. Kim argued that “Vecherny
Bishkek” had successfully passed a tax audit in December, and that,
according to Article 13 of the Kyrgyz Tax Code, no additional review could
be performed for another year.
On 25 August, the tax police announced criminal proceedings against Kim for
failing to turn over the documents. Tax authorities, local police, and
members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs made numerous attempts to arrest
Kim throughout the day, and surrounded the newspaper’s office building late
into the night.
Kim was eventually able to escape with the help of colleagues. He has since
been hospitalized in Bishkek where he is receiving treatment for a heart
condition presumed to have been brought on by the incident. He has not
released his whereabouts for fear of further retaliation.
Tax authorities have begun a separate investigation of Rubikon, the
advertising arm of “Vecherny Bishkek”, which also successfully completed an
audit earlier this year. During a meeting with journalists on 24 August,
Kim said that he believes the recent investigation by the tax authorities is
nothing more than an attempt by the Kyrgyzstan government to gain control of
“Vecherny Bishkek”.
This attempt, in turn, seems politically motivated. In the past few months,
“Vecherny Bishkek” has covered the political opposition, including a series
of articles about possible contenders for the presidential election
scheduled to take place next year.
Numerous people have spoken out against the recent attacks, including
Kanybek Imanaliev, head of the government’s own Press Service. In a 26
August 1999 article published in “Vecherny Bishkek”, Imanaliev is quoted as
saying he believes the investigation is unfounded.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
the charges, he has allowed this case to proceed
unwarranted
charges against Kim and the newspaper are dropped immediately
Appeals To
His Excellency Askar Akayev
President of Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Fax: +996 312 218 627
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
