As noted by Marie Strazers, the director of Amnesty International for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the Kyrgyz authorities have a clear choice: to adhere to their international human rights obligations or to continue ignoring them.
Strazers emphasized that the "UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention" has unequivocally stated the illegality of Tajibek kyzy's detention, demanding the annulment of her sentence and her immediate release with compensation for the suffering endured. This demand is indisputable and is not symbolic.
The detention of Mahabat Tajibek kyzy is a troubling signal for all independent journalists in Kyrgyzstan: investigating corruption and human rights violations can cost one’s freedom. The hearing in the Supreme Court provides a chance to demonstrate that international law and the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan matter, and are not just words on paper, she added.
Additionally, the Committee to Protect Journalists, "Reporters Without Borders," the International Press Institute, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, and other organizations noted that the findings of the UN working group underscore the political nature of the persecution of Tajibek kyzy and provide compelling grounds for her immediate release.
They pointed out that Tajibek kyzy's conviction stemmed from her legitimate journalistic activities related to investigating corruption and criticizing the authorities. The UN working group noted that the Kyrgyz authorities provided no specific evidence of calls for violence in her publications and effectively equated criticism with incitement.
The organizations also noted that the UN criticized the authorities for abusing the "vague" Article 278 of the Criminal Code to suppress legitimate criticism and silence independent media.The UN working group emphasized that Tajibek kyzy should not have been brought to trial, as her right to a fair trial was violated. She did not have access to a lawyer during the initial stages of her detention, including the search of her home and office. The judicial system did not provide justification for the guilty verdict, which deprived the defense of the opportunity to appeal it. High-ranking officials, including President Sadyr Japarov, violated the presumption of innocence by declaring the guilt of Tajibek kyzy and her colleagues before the verdict was issued.
In light of these circumstances, the UN working group called on the Kyrgyz authorities to immediately release Tajibek kyzy, grant her the right to compensation, conduct an independent investigation into her case, and hold those responsible accountable. It also urged an end to the intimidation of independent media and the necessary legislative reforms to align Article 278 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic with international human rights standards.
It should be noted that Mahabat Tajibek kyzy was arrested in January 2024 along with ten employees of Temirov Live, and they were charged with organizing mass riots. On February 25, 2025, the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan reviewed the appeal of three of the detained journalists and upheld the decision of the previous instance: Tajibek kyzy was sentenced to six years in prison, Azamat Ishenbekov to five years, and Aike Beishikeeva was placed on probation for three years. Aktilek Kaparov was also given a three-year probation term, which he did not appeal. The other seven defendants were acquitted due to lack of evidence of a crime.
On February 2, the Supreme Court will consider the defense's petition for Mahabat Tajibek kyzy to reopen the case based on newly discovered circumstances, which pertains to the procedural decision on whether to accept or reject the petition.
