Slain Independent Journalist's Brothers Attacked In Bishkek

Avaz Saipov (left), slain journalist Alisher Saipov's father, with Ozodbek, one of three sons to have been attacked in the recent incident, in a November 2010 photo.

BISHKEK -- Three brothers of slain Kyrgyz independent journalist, Alisher Saipov, have reportedly been attacked and beaten in Bishkek.

One brother was said to be in serious condition.

The chairwoman of Kyrgyzstan’s Torch of the Century (Kylym Shamy) human rights center, Aziza Abdrasulova, told RFE/RL on December 3 that Saipov brothers Ozodbek, Shokhrukh, and Yusuf have filed an official complaint with police.

According to Abdrasulova, police found a mobile phone at the crime scene belonging to Azamat Tekebaev -- a brother of the leader of the Fatherland (Ata-Meken) political party, Omurbek Tekebaev.

That party is currently part of Kyrgyzstan's ruling coalition.

Police confirmed that Azamat Tekebaev has been interrogated in connection with the incident.

Alisher Saipov was a Kyrgyz citizen who wrote in the Uzbek language about Islamic extremism and human rights in Uzbekistan.

He was shot dead in Kyrgyzstan's southern city of Osh in October 2007.

Authorities have launched a new investigation into Saipov's killing, Kyrgyz Deputy Interior Minister Melis Turganbaev told RFE/RL early this month.