(Adil Soz/IFEX) – The following is a joint statement by Adil Soz and the Trade Union for Journalists in Kyrgyzstan: Jyldyz Bekbayeva, editor-in-chief of the socio-political newspaper “Zhany muun,” was severely assaulted on 11 September 2005 at about 11:30 a.m. (local time) while covering a demonstration in the village of Karasuu (Osh region, southern Kyrgyzstan). […]
(Adil Soz/IFEX) – The following is a joint statement by Adil Soz and the Trade Union for Journalists in Kyrgyzstan:
Jyldyz Bekbayeva, editor-in-chief of the socio-political newspaper “Zhany muun,” was severely assaulted on 11 September 2005 at about 11:30 a.m. (local time) while covering a demonstration in the village of Karasuu (Osh region, southern Kyrgyzstan).
The incident took place in the backyard of the district procuracy building. The journalist was taking photographs with a digital camera and recording on a dictaphone when supporters of the late Abdalim Junusov, a former head of the local Turataly market, attacked her.
“Someone misled a crowd of protesters, saying I was working for [Kyrgyz Parliament] deputy Bayaman Erkinbaev [another former head of Turataly market]. Afterwards, the outraged protesters attacked me. One of them, a big man, struck me several times. Police officers saved my life,” Bekbayeva said in a 12 September telephone conversation with Azamat Kalman, chairman of the Trade Union for Journalists in Kyrgyzstan.
Erkinbaev was replaced by Junusov as head of the Turataly market during the unrest in March that led to a revolution in the country. Junusov was killed by unknown people in early September. Both Erkinbaev and Junusov have been linked to local criminal organisations.
A day after the attack, Bekbayeva regained consciousness at the regional hospital. The editor-in-chief suffered bodily injuries and a concussion. Her attackers broke her camera and dictaphone and stole her mobile phone.
On 12 September, the injured editor-in-chief was transferred to Osh City Hospital at her own request. Police officers have been providing her with protection.
Alisher Toksonbayev, the press secretary of Osh’s regional governor, told Kalman that the local police department had not registered a report by Bekbayeva. “The name of the assailant is Aidar. He is a member of a local criminal group,” Toksonbayev said.
According to Kalman, Bekbayeva is not sure whether local authorities will register and investigate her case as she believes they may come under pressure.
