BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, October 23. The deputies of the Kyrgyz Parliament approved in the first reading a bill imposing fines for insults or defamation in media and online platforms, Trend reports.
The bill, initiated by the Cabinet of the Ministers, suggests a fine of 100,000 soms ($1,169) for individuals and 200,000 soms ($2,339) for legal entities. The same penalties would apply for defamation in media.
During discussions, Deputy Dastan Bekeshev criticized the high amount of the fines and expressed his opposition to the bill.
Other deputies raised concerns about potential conflicts with Articles 29 and 32 of the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan, as well as the mechanisms for addressing defamation by individuals located abroad. There were also suggestions that the fines should be more aligned with the average income of the population.
In the vote, 63 deputies supported the bill, while six opposed it.