VIENNA, 13 December 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, raised his concerns today at the disproportionate damages of more than 320,000 US dollars demanded in a defamation suit against the Kyrgyzstan media organizations Azattyk (the Kyrgyz-language service of the international broadcaster RFE/RL), Kloop.kg and 24.kg...

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PRESS RELEASE

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media highly concerned by disproportionate defamation claims against three media outlets in Kyrgyzstan

“I am highly concerned that today these media in Kyrgyzstan have to fight a legal battle which will cast a shadow upon their very existence,” Désir said. “Disproportionate damages in civil defamation cases have a chilling effect on media freedom. It may bring about the closure of outlets and endanger media pluralism. I call for respect for journalists who reported on this case, including investigative journalists, who play a key role in press freedom and democracy,” the Representative said.

A number of plaintiffs lodged the defamation suit against the three media organizations following the publication of investigative reports concerning money-laundering schemes up to 700 million US dollars involving senior officials in the Kyrgyz customs service. A source for the story was shot dead in Istanbul in early November this year. The sums of damages demanded amount to 22 million som, approximately 320,000 US dollars. Journalist Ali Toktakunov of Azattyk is being sued in person for 10 million som, around 142,000 US dollars.

On 12 December, the Sverdlov district court of Bishkek ordered the freeze of the three media organization’s bank accounts. Following public outcry in Kyrgyzstan and abroad the plaintiffs wrote to the court on 13 December, asking for a repeal of the decision.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/

For PDF attachments or links to sources of further information, please visit: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/442180

Contacts:

Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
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1010 Vienna
Austria
Office: +43 1 514 36 6800
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