Journalist Shokrukh Saipov Attacked

Journalist Shokrukh Saipov was attacked and beaten by unknown assailants on August 10. Saipov is a Kyrgyz citizen and ethnic Uzbek, who runs the news website UzPress, which has commented on ethnic tensions between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks. In 2007, his older brother and prominent journalist Alisher Saipov was murdered– Alisher's murder remains unsolved.

Kyrgyzstan is at an important point in its trajectory— parliamentary elections were seen as democratic progress, yet tensions continue between Uzbek and Kyrgyz. While Kyrgyzstan’s media environment is one of the most liberal in Central Asia, it is still Not Free according to Freedom House’s Freedom of the Press survey. Coverage remains biased, as government threatens to revoke the licenses for a number of radio and television programs. Uzbekh journalists and media owners have been the victims of a crackdown on press freedom. In June 2010, two Uzbekh media owners were prosecuted and charged with “extremism” for their participation in the ethnic conflict. There were also a disproportionate number of Uzbeks prosecuted and convicted following the 2010 summer conflicts. 

Although Saipov was admitted to the emergency department of the hospital after suffering a number of injuries, he was later denied medical treatment. As a result, his father sought out a private medical doctor and Saipov is now recovering.  Freedom House condemns the brutal attack, and expresses its concern and support for Saipov and his family.