**Updates IFEX alerts of 18 August 2000** (CPJ/IFEX) – In a 23 August 2000 letter to President Askar Akayev, CPJ expressed concern over the harsh treatment to which three journalists from the Bishkek independent weekly “Delo N” were recently subjected by agents of the Ministry of National Security. After a long and brutal interrogation on […]
**Updates IFEX alerts of 18 August 2000**
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 23 August 2000 letter to President Askar Akayev, CPJ expressed concern over the harsh treatment to which three journalists from the Bishkek independent weekly “Delo N” were recently subjected by agents of the Ministry of National Security. After a long and brutal interrogation on 16 August, one of the journalists was hospitalized with a heart condition, according to CPJ sources.
On 26 July, “Delo N” published an article by Vadim Nochevkin about the closed trial of former government minister Feliks Kulov, who was charged with abuses of power while in office. Citing unnamed sources inside the courtroom, Nochevkin reported the testimony of Boris Poluektov, deputy chairman of the Ministry of National Security. This testimony allegedly included classified information about one of the ministry’s undercover agents.
After Kulov was acquitted on 7 August, the ministry opened a criminal investigation against Nochevkin and “Delo N” for divulging state secrets. (Local human rights advocates informed CPJ that this was a highly improper action, since the ministry is legally barred from investigating cases involving its own interests.)
On 16 August, Nochevkin was summoned to the ministry for questioning, along with “Delo N” editor-in-chief Viktor Zapolsky and deputy editor Svetlana Krasilnikova. Authorities committed several serious procedural violations in the course of the interrogation, local sources told CPJ. For instance, the journalists were summoned to testify as witnesses in the case in order to dodge the legal requirement that a defense lawyer be present during the interrogation of a suspect.
Zapolsky and Nochevkin were interrogated for five hours each, while Krasilnikova was questioned for over seven hours. During the interrogation, all three journalists were pressured to reveal the sources for Nochevkin’s article. According to Kyrgyz legal experts, it is illegal both for journalists to reveal confidential sources and for authorities to compel journalists to do so.
All reported severe psychological coercion during the interrogation. Additionally, Krasilnikova was deprived of food and water and was allowed only one short break during the entire ordeal.
The next day, Krasilnikova, 49, was placed in the intensive care ward at the National Hospital in Bishkek, suffering from high blood pressure and heart problems. She claims her ailments were triggered by Captain Melis Abdukalykov’s aggressive interrogation; she was also deprived of food and liquids, and there was little air circulation in the interrogation room.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
- protesting the Ministry of National Security’s illegal investigation and inhuman treatment of “Delo N”‘s staff
- -urging His Excellency to ensure that any legal proceedings against “Delo N” and any other newspaper in Kyrgyzstan are carried out with due process and in accordance with international standards for a free press
Appeals To
His Excellency Askar Akayev
President of Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Fax: +7 3312 218627
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
