Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – The legal proceedings against Kloop Media, initiated by the capital’s prosecutor’s office, faced a delay as the case was reassigned to a different judge. This update was shared by representatives of the media outlet.

According to 24.kg News Agency, the judge previously handling the case submitted a note to the chairman of the court on November 22, stating her inability to continue due to time constraints. She cited her extensive responsibilities in the Council of Judges as the reason for requesting the transfer of the case to another judge.

As a result of this development, the date for the new hearing has not been determined yet.

The case against Kloop Media began when Bishkek prosecutor Emilbek Abdymanapov filed a lawsuit on August 28, seeking to liquidate the Kloop.Media public foundation. The lawsuit alleges that most of the outlet’s publications negatively portray state and municipal bodies, accusing them of manipulating public opinion and creating opposition to government initiatives. The prosecutor’s office specifically highlighted several headlines and articles from Kloop.kg that were critically pointed at the government.

In addition to these allegations, the prosecutor’s office has also accused Kloop Media of concealing a significant amount of funds. The case’s postponement adds another chapter to the ongoing legal battle involving Kloop Media, a significant case in the realm of press freedom and government-media relations in Kyrgyzstan.