October 2025 Action
Journalist Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy is currently serving a six-year prison sentence in Kyrgyzstan after her conviction in October 2024. As the head of a prominent investigative media outlet, her work focused on uncovering alleged high-level corruption and reporting on poverty and social inequality. Despite receiving threats of imprisonment and torture in late 2023, she vowed to continue her work, only to be arrested in January 2024 after a raid on her home. The charges of "calls for violence against citizens" and "mass riots" are widely regarded as baseless and an effort by authorities to crack down on independent journalism. Petitions are being circulated to call for the immediate freedom of Makhabat, who is a mother to a young son.
Write to the Kyrgyzstan General Prosecutor to initiate a case review and call for the immediate and unconditional release of Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy.
Write to:
Asanaliev Maksat Kubatovich, General Prosecutor A. Toktonalieva Street, 139 Bishkek, 720040 Kyrgyz Republic
Sample Letter:
Dear General Prosecutor:
I am writing to express my deep concern over the guilty verdict and six-year sentence handed down to Temirov Live journatlist, Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy.
She was found guilty of “calling for active disobedience and mass riots, as well as calls for violence against citizens” based on a video published on social media that accused government officials of corruption—claims that Makhabat denies. I am concerned that these charges have brought to punish her for her criticism of the authorities, in violation of the right to freedom of expression.
I urge you to ensure that Makhabat is released immediately, that all charges are dropped, and that she be allowed to continue her professional activities in Kyrgystan without undue restrictions.
Yours sincerely,
(Source: Amnesty International)