In a controversial move, the Oktyabrsky District Court in Kyrgyzstan has declared the investigative journalism platforms Temirov Live and Kloop as extremist organizations, effectively banning their operations within the country. This unprecedented ruling, issued on Monday, marks a significant escalation in Kyrgyzstan's crackdown on press freedom, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

This decision prohibits the distribution of content from these outlets and restricts other media from sharing their work, raising alarms about the potential criminalization of even engaging with the banned publications online. Kloop’s founder, Rinat Tuhvatshin, voiced concerns about the ambiguous application of this new law, suggesting that simple interactions like sharing or liking the outlets’ posts could be construed as supporting extremism.

Both Temirov Live and Kloop have been instrumental in exposing corruption within the Kyrgyz government, including allegations against President Japarov himself. Bolot Temirov, founder of Temirov Live and a recipient of the 2025 International Press Freedom Award, has previously faced significant personal repercussions, including police harassment and imprisonment, due to his journalistic activities.

The CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, "This unprecedented decision shows how far Kyrgyzstan has fallen under President Japarov from its former status as a press freedom haven." The country’s trajectory has been marked by increasingly repressive measures, including the introduction of a fake news law, raids on journalists' homes, and the imprisonment of media personnel on questionable grounds.

President Japarov's administration has further tightened its grip by requiring all media to register with the state and imposing restrictions on foreign media ownership. The fake news law, enacted last July, penalizes the publication of criticism or dissenting views, with recent amendments introducing severe penalties for breaches.

This court decision is a clear deviation from Kyrgyzstan's obligations under international law, specifically violating Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which safeguards freedom of expression. This includes the right to investigate and report on corruption, a fundamental aspect of democratic societies.

The CPJ, along with other rights organizations, is calling for the immediate reversal of this ban, urging Kyrgyzstan to realign with its international commitments and restore conditions that allow for free and independent journalism. The global community watches closely as the country's stance on media freedom continues to draw international criticism and concern.