Recall that on March 10, the Supreme Court annulled the previously issued sentence and sent the case for a new hearing.
Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s representative for Europe and Central Asia, noted: "The Supreme Court's decision to overturn the sentence for Temirov Live journalist Mahabat Tajibek kyzy is an important step towards achieving justice and protecting press freedom."
The journalist's case has elicited significant international response, and human rights organizations have repeatedly urged the authorities in Kyrgyzstan to reconsider the decision regarding her case.
In its statement, CPJ emphasizes that the Supreme Court's annulment of the sentence provides hope for a fair consideration of the case. The organization called on the Kyrgyz authorities to ensure the protection of media freedom and to cease any attempts to pressure independent journalists.
Mahabat Tajibek kyzy was detained in January 2024 along with ten colleagues from Temirov Live, and they were charged with organizing mass riots. On February 25, 2025, the judicial panel of the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan reviewed the appeal of three of the detainees and upheld the decision of the previous instance: Mahabat Tajibek kyzy received six years in prison, Azamat Ishenbekov received five years, and Aika Beishikeeva was found guilty and sentenced to three years of probation. The court also assigned Aktilek Kaparov three years of probation, and he did not contest this decision. The other seven were acquitted due to lack of evidence of a crime.
In 2026, the defense of Mahabat Tajibek kyzy filed a petition to reopen the case based on new circumstances.
