Court Dismisses Complaints of News Agency’s Management: 24.kg Search
Bishkek Court Refuses Complaints from 24.kg News Agency Management
The Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek has denied three complaints from the management of 24.kg news agency. The complaints were related to the legality of the order of non-disclosure of case materials, preventing lawyers from entering the office during a search on January 15, and the investigator’s decision to deny access to the office for the staff to carry out professional activities. Sessions on the last two issues were held behind closed doors.
According to lawyer Nurbek Sydykov, the court refused to satisfy all three petitions. The decision can be appealed in Bishkek City Court within five days.
Employees of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) conducted a search at the office of 24.kg news agency on January 16, with the general director and editors-in-chief being taken for interrogation. Equipment and personal mobile phones of employees were confiscated. The SCNS stated that the search was part of a criminal case under the article “Propaganda of War” of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic. The managers were summoned for questioning again the following day.
As of now, the cell phones of the staff, office equipment, and documents have not been returned. The situation remains unresolved as the 24.kg news agency continues to seek legal recourse.
