Support The Moscow Times!

Kyrgyzstan to Reopen Case of Murdered Journalist

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Kyrgyzstan's highest court has overturned a murder conviction in the case of a prominent journalist who was shot in 2007, and it ordered a new investigation in the killing.

Supreme Court spokesman Baktybek Rysaliyev said Monday that the verdict that led to the sentencing of a drug trafficker for the murder of Alisher Saipov had been overturned.

Rysaliyev said the case will be sent for review to a court in Osh, where Saipov was killed.

Saipov, who was 26 at the time of his death, edited a newspaper that harshly criticized neighboring Uzbekistan's authoritarian policies.

He also worked for U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America.

Many analysts and activists believe that Saipov was targeted by Uzbek security services.

Saipov was a member of Kyrgyzstan's sizable ethnic Uzbek minority.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more