Subject: Journalist from Jalal-Abad free after successful appeal
From: Chris Schuepp (schuepp@internews.kg)
Date: Fri Jul 21 2000 - 05:53:35 EDT
We apologize for any cross-postings...
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JOURNALIST FROM JALAL-ABAD FREE AFTER SUCCESSFUL APPEAL
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Moldosaly Ibraimov, the journalist from Jalal-Abad who spent the last 5
weeks in jail in Jalal-Abad, is free again. Ibraimov was represented by
Internews lawyer Shamaral Maychiyev during the appeal in the Oblast Court of
Jalal-Abad today, July 20th, 2000. He was freed immediately after the court
hearing and his initial fine of 107,000 KS (2,250 $US) was reduced to 10,000
KS (210 $US). Ibraimov had been accused of libel and was imprisoned after
the City Court of Jalal-Abad convicted him on June 19th, 2000. The
journalist had written an article for the governmental newspaper Akikat in
Jalal-Abad and reported on rumors about a bribe allegedly paid to a judge
from Suzak during the run-up to the Parliamentary Elections in the Kyrgyz
Republic earlier this year. The newspaper had been ordered to pay 100,000 KS
(2,100 $US) a month ago. Internews lawyer Shamaral Maychiyev also
represented them in the appeal today and the June sentence was overruled by
the Oblast Court.
Akikat newspaper editor-in-chief Bakyt Orunbekov thanked Internews and all
other journalists and organizations who have supported the journalists in
Jalal-Abad over the last month for their efforts and expressed his happiness
and relief after today's court ruling. Moldosaly Ibraimov is back with his
family. We will keep supporting him and try to assist him in finding funds
so he can pay for his fine.
The information from Jalal-Abad was provided by Internews lawyer Shamaral
Maychiyev and Akikat editor-in-chief Bakyt Orunbekov.
Best,
Chris Schuepp
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Internews Kyrgyz Republic
Chris Schuepp
Country Director
Tel.: 00996-312-610017
www.internews.kg
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