Kyrgyz court reopens case of jailed journalist Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy
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The Leninsky District Court in Bishkek on August 25 began a retrial of journalist Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy, whose 2024 conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court in March. The hearing is open to the public but photography and video are banned. The retrial follows a UN working group finding that her detention was arbitrary.
Key Facts
- The Leninsky District Court in Bishkek began a retrial of journalist Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy on August 25, 2026.
- Tazhibek kyzy was originally sentenced to six years in prison on October 10, 2024, for her role in January 2024 unrest.
- The Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan sent the case for review in March 2026 due to newly discovered circumstances, and Tazhibek kyzy was released on recognizance not to leave.
- In October 2025, the Oktyabrsky District Court declared Temirov LIVE and 'Ait, ait dese' media materials extremist and banned their activities in Kyrgyzstan.
- In August 2025, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found Tazhibek kyzy's imprisonment arbitrary and recommended Kyrgyzstan restore her rights.
Retrial Proceedings
The Leninsky District Court in Bishkek began the retrial on August 25, 2026, in open session. The court prohibited photo and video recording during the hearing. Tazhibek kyzy and her defense will undergo a full re-examination of the case in the same court.
Case Background
The criminal case stems from January 2024 events when police detained 11 journalists, activists, and staff linked to Temirov LIVE and 'Ait, ait dese' media projects. They were charged in connection with mass riots. Tazhibek kyzy denied the charges. On October 10, 2024, the Leninsky District Court sentenced her to six years in prison, and subsequent instances upheld the decision.
Legal Reversal
In March 2026, the Supreme Court sent the case for review due to newly discovered circumstances. Tazhibek kyzy was then released from custody on recognizance not to leave. In August 2025, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention recognized her imprisonment as arbitrary and recommended that Kyrgyz authorities take measures to restore her rights. That conclusion became one of the grounds for the defense's appeal to the Supreme Court.
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Kyrgyz court reopens case of jailed journalist Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy
