Police conducted their second search of the offices of the De Fakto newspaper on June 24, according to Chief Editor Cholpon Orozobekova. The police said they hoped to confiscate information about subscribers to the newspaper, however, a De Fakto lawyer present during the search prevented them from doing so.
The last De Fakto issue, published on June 12, featured a story accusing Taalaibek Dalbayev of the Bishkek Tax Committee of corruption. When it was learned that the author of the article may not exist, an investigation into knowingly spreading false information was begun. On June 14, police raided the newspaper’s offices and removed computers and sealed the editorial office.
Earlier this month, De Fakto was fined 1 million soms (approximately $27,600) following legal actions initiated by Asylbek Saliyev, nephew of the president and son of the State Protection Service director.
De Fakto was founded over one year ago. Kubatbek Baibolov, opposition leader and former lawmaker, assisted the newspaper before quitting politics.
Source: Ferghana.ru
Net News Publisher for World News
