Government urged to react to increasingly frequent attacks on journalists

Political analyst and columnist Alexander Knyazev was attacked near his home in Bishkek yesterday evening by four men who punched and kicked him repeatedly and took his computer and briefcase. It was the second physical attack on this well-known political and media personality in the past two years and the eighth this year on journalists in Kyrgyzstan. “The political and social climate has worsened dramatically in Kyrgyzstan and calm did not return after the recent elections,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Journalists are the victims of threats and harassment with growing frequency. We again urge the authorities to react with the appropriate determination to this evolution in the situation.” The press freedom organisation added: “We also ask the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe to remind Kyrgyzstan’s representatives of the undertakings their government gave to respect free expression and human rights by the very fact of joining this organisation.” The Bishkek police have begun investigating yesterday’s attack and have taken statements. Knyazev said he thought it was linked to his work as a journalist. But, because of his support for former President Askar Akayev, overthrown in the 2005 Tulip Revolution, it cannot be ruled out that the attack had more to do with his political activism. Physical attacks on seven other journalists have been reported since the start of this year. The victims were Syrgak Abdyldayev (Reporter-Bishkek), Bakhadyr Kenjebayev (Osh-TV), Ulugbek Babakulov and Elena Agayeva (Moskovsky Komsomolets-Kyrgyzstan), Almazbek Tashiyev (a freelancer), Abduvakhab Moniyev (Achyk Sayasat) and Kubanychbek Joldoshev (Osh Shamy). Joldoshev, who was beaten in the southern city of Osh on the night of 1 November, has been threatened since then. On 18 November he received an SMS sent via the Internet that said: “The next time we won’t forgive you. Think of yourself. Be thankful that we let you live.”