Alisher Saipov
Alisher Saipov | |
---|---|
Kyrgyz SSR | |
Died | 24 October 2007 | (aged 26)
Nationality | Kyrgyzstani |
Occupation | Journalist |
Known for | 2007 murder |
Alisher Saipov (
Journalism
Saipov reported "aggressively" on Uzbekistan's politics. According to the NGO Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Saipov was the subject of attacks in state-controlled Uzbek media in the month before his death, and had stated that Uzbek security agents were following him.[4]
Natalia Antelava from BBC News reported: "At twenty-six, Alisher Saipov was one of the most outspoken journalists in Central Asia ... He wrote extensively about torture in Uzbek President Islam Karimov's prisons, about the clampdown on dissent and the plight of the Uzbek refugees living in Kyrgyzstan."[5]
Murder and investigation
On 24 October 2007, Saipov was shot dead by someone at close range outside of his office in Osh. He was survived by his wife and three-month-old daughter.[2] Amnesty International called on Kyrgyz authorities to better protect journalists, and for an investigation into Saipov's murder that was "thorough, impartial and in line with international practices".[6]
In 2007 and 2008, Kyrgyz investigators said they were probing allegations that Uzbek security agents might have been involved in the murder. The International Crisis Group, an NGO, stated that there were "strong indications" that Uzbek agents were responsible.[7]
In April 2009, officials announced that they had arrested former police officer Abdufarit Rasulov for the murder and found the murder weapon. However, the trial judge in the Osh City Court ruled that there was insufficient evidence for a trial. Prosecutors appealed, and the judge was replaced.
On 25 October 2012, Kyrgyz Deputy Interior Minister Melis Turganbaev stated that a new investigation into the murder had begun.[10]
References
- ^ Antelava, Natalia (3 November 2007). "The silencing of Uzbekistan's voice". BBC News. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Alisher Saipov, Journalist Reporting for the Voice of America, Killed in Osh, Kyrgyzstan". Voice of America. 24 October 2007. Archived from the original on 26 October 2007. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
- ^ "Freedom House Condemns Killing of Journalist in Kyrgyzstan". October 2007.
- ^ a b "Kyrgyzstan court rejects new probe in Saipov murder". Committee to Protect Journalists. December 9, 2009. Archived from the original on 3 December 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ Natalia Antelava (25 October 2007). "Outspoken Uzbek reporter killed". BBC News. Archived from the original on 26 October 2007. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
- ^ "Amnesty International Dismayed by Uzbek Journalist's Murder". Voice of America. 1 November 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ "Report: Journalist's Murder Raises Questions About Uzbek Government". Voice of America. November 1, 2009. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ "Kyrgyzstan court rejects new probe in Saipov murder". Committee to Protect Journalists via UNHCR. 9 December 2009. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ "Investigation, Impunity Continue". Radio Free Europe. December 11, 2009. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ a b "Kyrgyzstan Reopens Ethnic Uzbek Journalist's Murder Case". Radio Free Europe. October 25, 2012. Archived from the original on 1 November 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.