"This is an important step towards justice and the protection of press freedom"
On March 10, the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic overturned the sentence handed down to journalist Mahabat Tajibek kyzy and sent the case for a new trial. This decision has been welcomed by international human rights organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Gulnoza Said, CPJ's representative for Central Asia and Europe, noted: "We welcome the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the conviction of the journalist from Temirov Live. This is an important step towards justice and the protection of press freedom."
The trial of Mahabat attracted the attention of the international community, which has repeatedly called on Kyrgyz authorities to reconsider the sentence handed down to the journalist.
CPJ expressed hope that the Supreme Court's decision would mark the beginning of a fair investigation into the case. The organization called for the protection of press freedom and an end to pressure on independent journalists in the country.
Mahabat Tajibek kyzy was detained in January 2024 along with ten employees of Temirov Live, who were charged with organizing mass riots.
On February 25, 2025, the Supreme Court reviewed the appeal of three of the eleven detained journalists; however, the previous court's decision remained in force: Mahabat was sentenced to six years in prison, Azamat Ishenbekov to five years, and Aika Beishikeeva and Aktilek Kaparov to three years of probation. Seven other defendants in the case were acquitted due to lack of evidence of a crime.
In 2026, Mahabat's defense filed a petition to reopen the case based on newly discovered circumstances.
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