Articles by Adil Soz – International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech
Termination of state funding threatens survival of regional newspapers
(Adil Soz/IFEX) – State-controlled newspapers in Batken, the only source of information for people in the region, may be shut down soon, following the government’s decision to cancel the status of the region. The Batken region will lose its status as a region when the government decision to merge three regions in southern Kyrgyzstan – […]
Human rights defender ordered to pay damages to sources pressured by authorities to sue him
(Adil Soz/IFEX) – On 14 June 2007, a civil court in Samarkand delivered a ruling obliging human rights defender Kamilzhon Ashurov to pay 1 million som (approx. US$820) to both Rustam Sadykov, head of Samarkan printing press, and Shavkat Abdullayev, head of the human rights committee, who had filed defamation lawsuits against Ashurov. The defamation […]
Opposition newspaper sued for alleged defamation of deceased poet and national hero
(Adil Soz/IFEX) – The “Svoboda slova” newspaper and one of its journalists, Yerbol Kurmabayev, are facing a lawsuit filed by three private citizens – Almaz Dzhambulov, Zhenis Zhambylov and Katshibek Abdykalykova – who are seeking 800 million tenge (approx. US$6.5 million) in damages for “heavy sufferings.” In their lawsuit based on “protection of the honour, […]
Protesters, police forcibly prevent journalists from covering demonstration; one journalist struck by police
(Adil Soz/IFEX) – On 16 May 2007, “Talas turmushu” newspaper editor Kozubek Imankulov, photojournalist Berdibek Sultanmuratov and a journalist for the National TV/Radio Corporation, Salamat Nazarkulov, were rudely prevented from carrying out their professional activities during a demonstration in Aksai village, southern Kyrgyzstan. The protesters, who demanded that the gold mine Zherui Andash be shut […]
Opposition newspaper charged with “insulting” president for re-printing critical articles from foreign media
(Adil Soz/IFEX) – On 17 May 2007, the National Security Committee (NSC) filed charges against the opposition newspaper “Taz’zhargan” for insulting the honor and dignity of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, following the publication of materials in the newspaper reprinted from foreign media outlets. The charges stem specifically from two “Taz’zhargan” reports reprinted from the newspaper “New […]
Journalist, two human rights defenders, private citizen facing criminal defamation charges over article about alleged interior ministry abuse
(Adil Soz/IFEX) – Journalist Abdumalik Sharipov, two employees of the local human rights organisation “Justice” – Valentina Gritsenko and Mahamadzhana Abdushaparova – and a private citizen, Nargiza Turdiyeva, are facing defamation and insult charges under Articles 127 and 128 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic. The charges stem from a January 2006 article, […]
Twenty-three IFEX members call for full acquittal of journalist and human rights activist Umida Niyazova, request EU Council to consider case under sanction review
(Adil Soz/IFEX) – The following is an Adil Soz-led joint letter to Uzbek President Islam Karimov from 23 IFEX members: President Islam Karimov Rezidentsia prezidenta, ul. Uzbekistanskaia 43 700163 Tashkent Uzbekistan Tel: 8 10 998 71 139 5304 Fax: + 998 71 139 5325 E-mail: presidents_office@press-service.uz Dear Mr. President, We, the undersigned member organisations of […]
Newspapers seized and journalists assaulted during opposition demonstration
(Adil Soz/IFEX) – Five journalists were injured, another two were threatened with physical violence, journalists’ equipment was broken and newspapers were seized during a nine-day opposition demonstration in the capital city, Bishkek. On 14 April 2007, Aziz Egemberdiyev, a reporter for the news agency 24.kg, Sanzhar Hamidov and Bobozhon Tuganov, a camera crew for the […]