Aktilek Kaparov
Investigative journalist, founder of Alga.media
Sentenced to 3-year probation
Article 278(3) – mass unrest of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan
Aktilek Kaparov was arrested in January 2024 and charged with inciting mass unrest. The investigation was carried out by the State Committee for National Security and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. On 10 October 2024, the Leninsky District Court sentenced him to three years of probation. The trial was closed, and defense requests for house arrest were denied. Kaparov reported experiencing intense psychological pressure in detention, including self-harm incidents. The Supreme Court later upheld the verdict. Human rights groups criticized the sentence as part of a campaign against independent journalists.
Following his arrest in January 2024, Kaparov was held in pre-trial detention for several months before the Leninskiy District Court in Bishkek sentenced him to probation (non-custodial, but restricted) rather than active prison time. While not in prison, the probation restricts his ability to leave the country and subjects him to state control over his life and work.
Severe psychological stress, self-harm reported
