english

Kyrgyzstan’s government, long known as Central Asia’s most democratic, is becoming less and less transparent — and the country’s once-active civil society appears unconcerned.

Kyrgyz authorities allege Bolot Temirov is a drug user and used falsified identification documents. But case files obtained by reporters suggest a high-level effort led by the GKNB security agency to silence him.

Russian politicians under Western sanctions, financial criminals, and corrupt European officials all own real estate in the emirate, which attracts investors with liberal residency rules and a ‘few questions asked’ approach to regulation.

For years, Russia’s big cities have been a source of employment and income for the people of Central Asia and the Caucasus. Now, as sanctions undermine the Russian economy, they and their families will also feel the pinch.

Turkmenistan’s only mobile operator, Altyn Asyr, enjoys an undisputed monopoly despite frequent complaints about poor service and exorbitant prices. Though its shareholders are not publicly named, reporters learned that it is run by a member of the president’s family.

The atmosphere for a free press in Kyrgyzstan is backsliding. Pressure against independent media in Kyrgyzstan is not new, but the latest developments signal a dangerous and worrisome turn.

Kloop analyzed data from the past five years and found that despite the numerous attacks and strong pressure put on Kyrgyz journalists, almost nobody has been held accountable.

Hackers were unable to gain access to the accounts of a majority of journalists.

The wife of Uzbekistan’s first deputy prime minister has never appeared in public. But now, two separate document leaks — one from the tropical British Virgin Islands, the other from Switzerland — reveal her to be a secret player in one of the country’s top business relationships.

When the administration intended to propose the bill is not clear, but according to the laws, a draft of which was obtained by OCCRP, citizens will have until the end of 2022 to declare their assets.

Tightening the noose on independent media, the Kyrgyzstan government proposed on Monday a new procedure that would allow the regime to block websites accused by anyone of spreading fake news, even in cases where no evidence is provided.

He fled the country, was accused of corruption, and declared wanted. But his wife was still able to maintain at least one bulging bank account in the heart of Europe.