After presidential and security chief reports, Kyrgyz journalist claims drugs were planted by police

Bolot Temirov, a prominent investigative journalist in Bishkek, has been charged with “possessing illegal narcotics” after the authorities searched his office to find illegal narcotics.

The charge was announced by the police on January 23 after Temirov conducted an investigation into a powerful politician's business.

In the late hours of January 22, police raided Temirov's office and detained him. His release came amid demands for his release from journalists, human rights activists, and activists outside the Interior Ministry.

Police said Temirov and his colleague, Bolot Nazarov, had been arrested on a charge of drug possession.

Following his detention, Temirov was charged and released, but is prohibited from leaving the country. A police spokesman said Nazrov is still being held.

Investigations were conducted on January 22 at the office of the founder of Temirov Live, a YouTube channel that had run a report about President Sadyr Japarov and Kamchybek Tashiev, head of the State Committee for National Security.

Temirov said that while he was being taken away from the office, security officers planted drugs in his back pocket and confiscated all computers.

Afterward, he was escorted to a drug center by law enforcement officers.

According to Makhabat Taichibek kyzy, an employee of Temirov Live's editorial office, several law enforcement officers, including men in civilian clothing, entered the building. 

The press service of the Bishkek Department of Internal Affairs said an investigation into the detention of the journalist was underway, and more information would be provided later.

The YouTube channel Temirov Live launched a series titled "37 Million Soms In Two Days? The Scheme Of Sadyr Japarov And Tashiev.

In the investigation, relatives of Tashiev were alleged to have been involved in the activities of the state oil company.

According to Tashiev on his Facebook page, Temirov Live published inaccurate information about him.

The U.S. State Department recognized Temirov last year as an anti-corruption champion.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the winners of the new International Anti-Corruption Champions Award. In a statement, Blinken said the award recognized people who have worked tirelessly, often against the odds, to combat corruption in their countries.

The attackers attacked Temirov near his website's office in Bishkek in January 2020 after FactCheck and Bellingcat published a joint investigation about the controversial Raimbek Matraimov, former deputy chief of the State Customs Service, and his relatives.