Kyrgyzstan: Brothers of Slain Journalist Attacked in Bishkek

Three brothers of a journalist murdered in 2007 have been attacked outside their Bishkek home, Fergananews reports. One of the suspected assailants is the nephew of a prominent member of Kyrgyzstan's parliament. 

Journalist Shokhrukh Saipov and students Ozodbek and Yusuf Saipov are younger brothers of Alisher Saipov, a well-known ethnic Uzbek journalist and editor who was gunned down outside the offices of his paper, "Siyosat" (Politics), in Osh on October 24, 2007. 

Saipov’s murder has never been solved, and many regional experts believe Uzbekistan's secret services played a role. Saipov, who was 26 at the time of his death, was often critical of the regime of Islam Karimov in Tashkent. 

Journalists and rights activists across the region are outraged at the attack on his brothers. Shokhrukh was inspired to become a journalist when Kyrgyz authorities failed to investigate his brother’s murder. He was also attacked in Osh in August 2011. 

Aziza Abdurasulova, head of Kylym Shamy, a human rights watchdog in Bishkek, said Shokhrukh and Yusuf required medical care. Shokhrukh was beaten so badly he was unable to speak. They intend to press charges, she said. 

Bishkek police have arrested Azamat Tekebayev, nephew of the head of the Ata-Meken party, MP Omurbek Tekebayev, as a suspect. It’s unclear what the motive was. Azamat and an accomplice, who has also been detained, say both sides started the fight.

"I can't deny the possibility that he [Shokhrukh] was beaten up because of his journalist work, or even because he is Uzbek,” Abdurasulova told EurasiaNet.org. “Neighbors heard some nationalistic phrases when the guys were being beaten.” 

Kyrgyz nationalism has become a common feature of life for Kyrgyzstan’s minorities, particularly Uzbeks, since violence in and around Osh left over 400 people dead in June 2010.

Violent attacks on journalists and Uzbeks are both common in Kyrgyzstan.