Kyrgyzstan: State Committee opened a criminal case against NEXT TV channel

A criminal case has been initiated against NEXT TV channel for inciting ethnic hatred. This was reported by the press service of the State Committee for National Security.

As part of the ongoing work, it was found that NEXT TV channel, using its resources in social networks, is spreading false information about an alleged agreement on the provision of military assistance by Kyrgyzstan to Russia during a special operation on the territory of Ukraine. The TV channel referred as a source of information to the former head of the special services of Kazakhstan.

“These actions lead to misinformation and misleading the population of the Kyrgyz Republic and other countries, and are also a catalyst for inciting ethnic hatred and the formation of hostility on a national basis. An expert opinion was received on the presence of signs of inciting ethnic hatred in the actions of NEXT TV channel,” the State Committee for National Security reported.

Based on the available materials, a criminal case was initiated against NEXT TV channel under Article 330, part 2, clause 4 “Inciting ethnic hatred” of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic. Currently, urgent investigative actions are being carried out, as a result of which appropriate procedural decisions will be made against the responsible persons of the TV channel.