Kyrgyzstan shuts down opposition newspaper, online news video portal as press freedoms erode

Kyrgyzstan shuts newspaper, online news portal

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — A media rights advocate says a Kyrgyz court has shut down an opposition newspaper in a further sign of declining press freedoms in the ex-Soviet Central Asian nation.

Lawyer Akmat Alagushev said Thursday that a court in the capital ruled earlier this week that Forum newspaper had breached laws banning media from calling for the violent overthrow of the government.

Also, the Bishkek-based online video portal Stan Media says Kyrgyz financial police seized its production equipment this week, forcing it to close down.

Financial police official Almaz Munzhunov says Stan Media was evading taxes.

Ak-Shumkar opposition party leader Temir Sariyev said Thursday that closure of the media outlets was part of authorities’ push to curb freedom of expression.