Image: Temirov Live Facebook

10 May 2024
Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan Justice, Home, Life & Culture, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Features

Case Documents for 11 Temirov Live Journalists Submitted to Court in Kyrgyzstan

Legal documents regarding the cases of eleven current and former journalists of the Temirov Live project, who are accused of calling for mass riots, have been handed over to the court. According to the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek, the criminal case was received by the court office and will be handed over to the judge through the automatic distribution of cases of the AIS system, 24.kg news agency has stated.

As previously reported by the Times of Central Asia, on January 16, Interior Ministry officers searched the office of Temirov Live and confiscated its editorial equipment. The police also searched the journalists’ homes and detained eleven current and former employees of the publication. The motivation behind the case was one of Temirov’s projects called “Ait, Ait Dese,” which was published on YouTube in the fall of 2023, which the authorities claim called for mass disorder.

At the time, Kyrgyz Interior Minister Ulanbek Niyazbekov said the detainees weren’t journalists. “We cannot [help] but respond when they disseminate inaccurate information and engage in vilification. There are those who do not know the laws of journalism and do not have the relevant knowledge. They do not know and spread misleading information, sowing confusion among the people. I believe that we should not consider them as journalists,” news agencies quoted the Interior Minister as saying.

The detainees were Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy, Sapar Akunbekov, Azamat Ishenbekov, Saipidin Sultanaliyev, Aktilek Kaparov, Tynystan Asypbekov, Maksat Tazhibek uulu, Joodar Buzumov, Zhumabek Turdaliyev, Aike Beishekeeva and Akyl Orozbekov. They were all taken into custody in January for two months, until March 13. Later, the court released some of the detained journalists under house arrest and on their own recognizance.

Already facing a backlash over its so-called “foreign agents law,” Bishkek has pushed back against international criticism of the high-profile prosecution, saying the case is not politically motivated and that those facing charges are poorly educated people masquerading as journalists.

In late 2022, Kyrgyzstan deported Bolot Temirov, an investigative reporter with dual Kyrgyz and Russian nationality. “Temirov was sent to Russia by force with no belongings, no phone, no money or international passport, and in violation of deportation procedures,” the head of Reporters Without Bordfers Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk, Jeanne Cavelier stated at the time.

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@vox.today

10 May 2024
Central Asia, Tajikistan Local Politics, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Business Economy

Tajikistan Abolishes Electricity Rationing

The end of a system of electrical power rationing was announced by Bakhtiyor Rakhmatzoda, deputy head of the Electric Distribution Networks Company in Tajikistan. In early March, after an abnormally warm winter, snow suddenly fell in the country, which almost immediately led to an accident at the Nurek Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP). As a result, the entire country was left without electricity, water and cell phone services for several hours, as reported by the Russian news portal, Sputnik.

After the restoration of the power supply, a rationing system to limit energy use was introduced. In most districts, power for lighting was supplied only for two hours in the morning, and two hours in the evening. The authorities explained the rationing by pointing to the high consumption of electricity – which was logical due to the cold weather at the beginning of spring. They also noted that there was not enough water in the Nurek Reservoir.

Now, all restrictions have been lifted, according to Rakhmatzoda. “The country’s population has access to electricity 24 hours a day, and the limit is no longer in effect,” he said.

Still, residents of Tajikistan are complaining on social media about power outages not only in the regions, but also in Dushanbe. The blackouts in some districts were due to technical problems or repair work, the deputy head of the Electric Distribution Networks stated.

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Image: cityam.com

10 May 2024
Central Asia, International Affairs, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Son-in-Law of Former Kazakh President Nazarbayev Sells His London Mansion

Kazakh billionaire, Timur Kulibayev has sold his mansion in the prestigious London neighborhood of Mayfair for £35 million pounds sterling. The son-in-law of Kazakhstan’s former president, Nursultan Nazarbayev is also looking for a buyer for a second house nearby, according to a report in City A.M.

The British publication claims that Kulibayev has struck a deal to sell the property to North Wind Capital, an investment company founded by former Deutsche Bank director, Ben Williams. The new owners are planning a large-scale reconstruction of the building.

According to City A.M., Kulibayev’s mansion on Upper Grosvenor Street was sold at an undervalued price due to the value of luxury real estate taking a significant drop since Brexit. Many London homeowners have already taken substantial losses on investment and residential properties.

“Kulibayev has owned two mansions next door to each other for almost 20 years. They are directly opposite the Embassy of Monaco, and just a short walk from Buckingham Palace. Almost all this time, the house which he sold was empty,” notes the City A.M. article.

In 2024, Timur Kulibayev and his wife Dinara Kulibayeva, daughter of Nursultan Nazarbayev, still sit atop the list of the richest Kazakhs. The combined fortune of the Nazarbayev family is estimated at almost $10 billion.

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10 May 2024
Central Asia, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan, Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyzstan’s New 5,000 Som Banknotes Enter Circulation

A new banknote worth 5,000 som (U$56.60) has been put into circulation in Kyrgyzstan starting today, the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic has announced. The 5,000 som banknote is part of the new fifth series of the national currency, produced from a 2023 sample, and went into circulation on May 10, 2024. The new banknote contains a portrait of the renowned Kyrgyz actor and artist, Suymenkul Chokmorov on the front side, and a depiction of the famed movie theater, Ala-Too, on the obeverse. The main color and size of the banknote has remained unchanged.

“The banknote of 5,000 som nominal value contains a three-level complex of modern security elements, providing reliable protection against counterfeiting. All banknotes of the national currency have the status of official means of payment in the Kyrgyz Republic and are subject to mandatory acceptance as a means of payment regardless of the year of issue,” the national bank’s press service stated.

The first series of banknotes of Kyrgyzstan’s national currency were introduced on May 10, 1993. The exchange rate then was set at 200 Soviet rubles to one Kyrgyz som.

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UNDP Kyrgyzstan

10 May 2024
Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

UNDP Supports Export Promotion Center in Kyrgyzstan

A much welcomed export development and promotion center has been launched in Kyrgyzstan with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

According to a report by the UNDP in Kyrgyzstan on May 7, the key aim of the Kyrgyz Export Center is to offer advice and equip Kyrgyz companies with skills and knowledge to navigate and succeed in international trade.

Local businesses  are promised access to a wide range of beneficial services  including the provision of data and analysis of potential international markets and step-by-step guidance in entering foreign markets. Help will also be available to enable companies to fully exploit their export potential through programs tailored to maximize growth and competitiveness.

In addition, local companies will be encouraged and offered support to participate in trade missions and international exhibitions through which they can showcase their products to a global audience.

Emphasizing the organization’s commitment to best international practices, Urmat Takirov, director of the Kyrgyz Export Center, stated, “We strive to apply the best practices and approaches adopted in international business to ensure the best results in the development of export-oriented companies in Kyrgyzstan.”

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@undp.org

10 May 2024
Central Asia, Uzbekistan Environment, Environment, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan International Affairs

EU to Allocate €600,000 to Uzbekistan for Green Budgeting

An agreement on financing a new project in support of green development in Uzbekistan was signed on May 6 by representatives of the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

According to the UNDP’s press service, the project aims to assist the Uzbek government in financing green development across the country through the effective use of public finance, integrating green priorities into the budgeting process (green budgeting), and introducing innovative financial instruments to attract investments in green projects.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance is expected to act as the cabinet-level partner in this project.

Under the agreement, grant funds in the amount of €600,000 provided by the EU will be directed by AFD and the UNDP to provide technical assistance to the government under the project “Supporting Green Development Financing in Uzbekistan” for the period 2024-2026.

The new project will build on the results and achievements of the previous joint initiative by AFD and the UNDP to introduce budgeting methodologies and practices based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were successfully implemented in 2022-2023. At that time, the Ministry of Economy and Finance was supported in designing and developing methodologies based on international best practices, conducting research and capacity building of national partners in the field of SDGs and green budgeting.

Key results of that project included climate budget labeling — implemented for the first time in Uzbekistan — and the presentation of its results in the “Budget for Citizens” publication.

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