Alisher Saipov

Alisher Saipov (Uzbek: Alisher Soipov, Алишер Соипов; 4 September 1981 – 24 October 2007) was a Kyrgyzstani journalist of Uzbek ethnic origin and editor-in-chief of the newspaper Siyosat of the country's ethnic Uzbek minority, which reported on human rights abuses in neighboring Uzbekistan. Saipov often wrote articles critical of Uzbek President Islam Karimov and his government. He wrote extensively about torture in Uzbek prisons, the clampdown on dissent, and the rise of Islamic radicalism.[1] He also worked as a correspondent for RFE/RL and Voice of America. He was shot dead at close range outside his downtown office in Osh in October 2007.[2][3]

Alisher Saipov
Born
Alisher Saipov

(1981-09-04)4 September 1981
Kyrgyz SSR
Died24 October 2007(2007-10-24) (aged 26)
Osh, Kyrgyzstan
NationalityKyrgyzstani
OccupationJournalist
Known for2007 murder

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.[8] On December 9, 2009 Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Court ruled that the prosecution of the suspect Abdufarit Rasulov, a former policeman, could proceed, following an appeal by Alisher Saipov's father Avaz Saipov, who called the case "bogus". According to Uznews, Rasulov denied involvement in the murder and said that he was beaten by police. A CPJ spokesperson stated that "the refusal to launch a new investigation into the murder of Alisher Saipov only adds to the impression that the Kyrgyz authorities are concerned less with justice than in closing a diplomatically embarrassing case."[4] Radio Free Europe was critical of the decision, stating, "The confusion and contradictions around the investigation have granted de facto impunity to Saipov's killers and raise questions about the Kyrgyz government's commitment to solving the case".[9] In 2010, Rasulov was found guilty and sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment.[10]

On 25 October 2012, Kyrgyz Deputy Interior Minister Melis Turganbaev stated that a new investigation into the murder had begun.[10]

References
  1. Antelava, Natalia (3 November 2007). "The silencing of Uzbekistan's voice". BBC News. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  2. "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.
  3. "Freedom House Condemns Killing of Journalist in Kyrgyzstan". October 2007.
  4. "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.
  5. Natalia Antelava (25 October 2007). "Outspoken Uzbek reporter killed". BBC News. Archived from the original on 26 October 2007. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
  6. "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.
  7. "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.
  8. "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.
  9. "Investigation, Impunity Continue". Radio Free Europe. December 11, 2009. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  10. "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.
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