One of Kyrgyzstan’s first online news websites, 24.kg, reported on April 3 that the State Committee for National Security (UKMK) has suspended a criminal case against it. The UKMK launched the case -- which came amid a government crackdown on civil society and free media -- against the independent news agency on grounds of spreading "war propaganda" over reporting about the conflict in Ukraine. Authorities closed the editorial offices of 24.kg on January 15, and the site's director-general, Asel Otorbaeva, and two chief editors were briefly detained. Otorbaeva has since stepped down citing “family reasons and health problems.” To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, click here.
Criminal Case Against Kyrgyz News Agency Suspended
24.kg Director-General Asel Otorbaeva (file photo)