Members of the Kyrgyz counter-espionage service temporarily overran the office of independent news agency 24.kg in Bishkek on April 15, eight days after the revolt that toppled President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, according to Reporters sans Frontières (RSF).
Journalists said armed men, led by Aspekov Talant, the head of the service, stormed into the office and, without giving any reason, announced that they were closing the news agency and shutting down its website.
A group of human rights activists led by interim deputy prime minister Omurbek Tekebayev put a stop to the operation and the interior minister quickly apologised for the raid on behalf of the interim government and the intelligence services.
Paris-based RSF hoped that the new interim government will adhere to its promises to respect media freedom and pluralism.
