Kyrgyzstan: Attacks Spread Fear Among Journalists

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000286

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO KG
SUBJECT: Kyrgyzstan: Attacks Spread Fear Among Journalists

Ref: Bishkek 197

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1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In the past month, four journalists have been
attacked in Kyrgyzstan. Opposition newspapers and the public
speculate that the attacks were intended to intimidate the press in
the run-up to the March 27 opposition protests and early
presidential elections this year. One paper, "Litsa," announced its
closure, while another, "Reporter Bishkek," publicly contemplated
closure. Officials blame the attacks on criminals. END SUMMARY.

FOUR ATTACKS ON JOURNALIST IN CLOSE SUCCESSION
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2. (SBU) On March 3, four unknown, armed men attacked Syrdak
Abdyldaev, a political correspondent for the independent
Russian-language paper, "Reporter Bishkek." (Reftel) Two
individuals stabbed Abdyldaev twenty-one times in a way that was
purposefully non-life-threatening, while two individuals broke his
arms, resulting in open fractures in both arms. The most popular
analysis of the attack by journalists, opposition politicians, and
the general public was that the attack was ordered by the
authorities to intimidate journalists.


3. (SBU) On March 7, a cameraman for the Osh TV Broadcasting
Company, Bahodyr Kenjebaev, was attacked near the Jackpot bar in
Osh. Osh TV Editor-in-Chief Halil Hudaibergenov alleged that the
attack was intended to intimidate the cameraman, who reported on
corruption, prostitution, and criminals. Other independent
commentators claim this attack was most likely criminal in nature.
The victim was hospitalized with severe brain concussion, facial
edema, and multiple bruises. A criminal investigation is underway.


4. (SBU) During the early morning hours of March 26, three unknown
assailants attacked two journalists who print the Kyrgyz insert to
the Moscow-based "Moskovsky Komsomolets" newspaper. The victims of
the attack were Ulugbek Babakulov, a former human rights activist
who was recently appointed as Editor-in-Chief; and reporter Elena
Ageyeva, well-known for her column called "Letter to the President,"
in which she regularly mocks the authorities. The assailants stole
a cell phone, 200 som (about 5 dollars),and a rain coat, prompting
the Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesman to claim publicly that
the attack was not related to the journalists' professional
activities. However, many in the media community consider the
attack to be either an attack on press freedom or an example of how
local police have lost the ability to protect citizens from random
violence.

MEDIA REACTION TO THE ATTACKS
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5. (SBU) After he was beaten, Abdyldaev gave an interview to
"Azattyk" radio, in which he said he had been followed for about one
month prior to the attack. He said the attack was likely ordered
and intended to injure him, rather than kill him. The
editor-in-chief of Reporter, Turat Akimov, said that this is the
second attack against his reporters and that he will likely have to
shut down the newspaper.


6. (SBU) On March 12, the Russian-language opposition newspaper
"Litsa" published an article called "Two of them cut me, two broke
my bones: How to Kill a Journalist" under a column entitled
Political Sadism. The newspaper quoted Abdyldaev as saying "They
imprisoned us [journalists] during [former president] Akayev's rule.
NOW they're killing us. Who is attempting to intimidate us? To
break us emotionally, to drive us into depression?" The newspaper
editorialized that the attack was meant to "sow panic, fear in
society, or more precisely, in the community of independent
journalists and activists of individual parties."


7. (SBU) On March 18, "Moskovskiy Komsomolets-Kyrgyzstan" published
an article called "Open Season on Journalists," which said, "The
increased frequency of the attacks against journalists is a clear

BISHKEK 00000286 002.2 OF 002


sign of upcoming, important political events on the national scale.
In the light of the civil protest meetings of the opposition, which
are always illuminated in detail by the media, such attacks can be
projected as a warning 'to hold one's tongue behind the teeth.' [. .
.] Thus, the season for hunting journalists is open. Who issues
licenses to hunters?"


8. (SBU) On March 26, the publisher and Editor-in-Chief of "Litsa,"
Bermet Bukasheva, commented on her decision to close the paper: "You
have probably heard of psychological pressure. After the attack on
Syrgak Abdyldaev, who wrote stories for "Litsa" too, we should take
threats seriously. What upsets me the most is the indifferent
reaction of the public. [People] just talked a little bit and
forgot. I am not scared of anybody or anything. I am just
disappointed by the dirty politics and public indifference."

OFFICIAL REACTION: ATTACKS NOT POLITICALLY MOTIVATED
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9. (SBU) On March 16, Minister of Internal Affairs Moldomusa
Kongantiev said at his press conference that even if Abdyldaev was
attacked for the things he wrote, it was what he wrote about
criminals -- not what he wrote about politics -- that provoked the
attack. He said the attack was not connected to politics. The
person who allegedly attacked Osh TV cameraman Kenjebaev has been
arrested and charged with robbery and hooliganism. No more details
or comments are available so far in the case of Ulugbek Babkulov and
Elena Ageyeva.

GFOELLER