The Kyrgyz government has branded some of its fiercest media critics as “extremist” thus criminalising any action to circulate the outlets’ content. Journalists affected by the move remain defiant, contending that the attempt to muzzle their news organisations will not stop the circulation of dissenting views via the internet.

A Bishkek court in late October classified three prominent independent outlets — Temirov Live, Kloop.kg, and Ait Ait Dese — as extremist organisations, effectively equating them with terrorist groups and deeming the distribution of non-government-sanctioned news as a threat to national security. The ruling enables incumbent authorities to tighten their control over the flow of information during the run-up to snap parliamentary elections scheduled for November 30.

The decision, which took effect immediately, prohibits the dissemination, storage or even the “liking” of materials from the proscribed outlets, with violations punishable by up to seven-year jail terms under Article 330 of the Criminal Code. 

The court ruling also targets Bolot Temirov and Rinat Tuhvatshin, founders of Temirov Live and Kloop respectively, labelling them as “extremist” individuals. Both are now working in exile after leaving the country during the earlier phases of the government’s continuing crackdown on independent media.

“We received no notifications,” said Rinat Tuhvatshin, speaking from an undisclosed location abroad. “I learned about it from Facebook. The court and GKNB [state security service] knew our lawyer was trying to access the case files, but they refused [access]. They claimed our whereabouts were unknown, even though they knew where we are.”

Kyrgyz authorities sought to have a so-called Red Notice issued for Tuhvatshin’s arrest, but Interpol, the France-based international criminal police organisation, rejected the request.

Tuhvatshin argued the court ruling will ultimately prove destabilising for the country. “In the end, this harms Kyrgyzstan more than us,” he said. “As long as there are people, there’s resistance.”

“Democracy is relative — now there’s less of it [in Kyrgyzstan],” he added. “But politics is boiling; factions within [President Sapyr] Japarov’s and [national security chief Kamchybek] Tashiev’s camps are clashing openly. The people are more engaged than ever.”

The official text of the ruling remains unpublished by the General Prosecutor’s Office, leaving journalists and citizens in legal limbo. “The decision entered force upon pronouncement, so risks are real now,” said Akmat Alagushev, a media lawyer with the Media Policy Institute. “Without the full text from the Prosecutor General, we don’t know exactly what’s prohibited. People are deleting old posts to avoid charges.”

The Committee to Protect Journalists assailed the ruling, saying it inhibits watchdog reporting aimed at holding officials accountable for their actions. 

“It is still unclear how the authorities will enforce the ban in practice,” a CPJ statement reads. “But one thing is clear: this is a blow to investigative journalism, which exposed corruption in the highest echelons of power.”

The court ruling marks a significant escalation of a three-year campaign against independent journalism under Japarov, who rose to power in the chaotic aftermath of the 2020 parliamentary elections. Once a populist firebrand freed from prison by protesters, Japarov has consolidated authority, appointing ally Kamchybek Tashiev to head the State Committee for National Security (GKNB), which has spearheaded the crackdown.

In the years immediately before Japarov’s rise, outlets like Kloop and Temirov Live gained wide recognition in Kyrgyzstan for exposing high-level corruption. Soon after Japarov gained power, the watchdog outlets began contending with various forms of difficulty, including online trolling, DDoS attacks and advertising boycotts.

The legislative framework governing mass media operations started tightening in 2021. Azattyk (the Kyrgyz service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) faced account freezes and near liquidation in 2022-2023, allegedly because the outlet’s coverage of border strife with Tajikistan displeased officials. Temirov was arrested in 2022 on trumped-up charges and deported; in 2024, 11 Temirov Live journalists were detained. This year, the Kloop Foundation was liquidated in February, TikTok was blocked in April, and Aprel TV was closed in July. 

Japarov signed a “foreign agents” law in 2024, essentially a copy of legislation adopted by Russia, giving the government leverage to potentially shut down non-governmental organisations or media outlets that accept foreign funding.

Political analyst Temur Umarov of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center said Japarov has now taken “authoritarian learning” to a new level by labelling nettlesome watchdogs as extremists. 

“‘Extremism’ is a perfect tool — it allows international pursuits via bilateral extradition deals, even if Interpol rejects for political motives,” Umarov said. “Previous regimes copied Moscow, but Japarov has taken it to extremes.”

This article first appeared on Eurasianet here.