Kyrgyzstan: Release Journalists And Media Workers: Makhabat Tazhibek-kyzy and Aike Beishekeeva

On 16 January, police raided the homes of 11 journalists known for their past and current involvement with “Ayt Ayt Dese” and “Temirov LIVE”, two independent media projects that have investigated allegations of corruption in Kyrgyzstan. They include Makhabat Tazhibek-kyzy, the head of “Temirov LIVE” and Aike Beishekeeva, a 23-year-old factchecker. All 11 were detained for questioning as part of a criminal investigation into alleged “calls for active disobedience and for mass riots, as well as calls for violence against citizens” stemming from a video published on social media.