Kyrgyzstan: Mass Journalist Arrests Spark International Condemnation

Kyrgyzstan: Mass Arrests of Journalists Spark International Outcry Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – In a concerning development for press freedom in Kyrgyzstan, seven individuals, including three current and two former journalists from the independent news outlet Kloop, were arrested on May 28, 2025. The arrests, which took place in Bishkek, have drawn sharp criticism from international organizations. Video footage circulating online shows individuals being detained by law enforcement. Nurbek Sydykov, an attorney involved in the case, stated, "The guys are admitting guilt, but the article itself—calls for mass unrest, calls for active disobedience to the lawful demands of law enforcement officials—is very serious. It's considered a serious crime." Rinat Tukhvatshin, co-founder of Kloop, called the events a "kidnapping," emphasizing the lack of access to those detained. He said, "People are being held incommunicado, without the possibility of even making a phone call." The incident has prompted condemnation from international organizations, who have voiced concerns about the escalating repression of independent journalism in Kyrgyzstan. While some of those initially detained were later released, the continued detention of others underscores the gravity of the situation. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by independent media in the country.