Kyrgyzstan Blocks Access to Dozens of News Websites

Authorities say the move is necessary to combat fake news and extremism, but critics say it is a crackdown on dissent

The move comes amid a wider crackdown on dissent in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan has blocked access to dozens of news websites, including several independent outlets, in a move that has been condemned by critics as a crackdown on dissent.

The authorities say the move is necessary to combat fake news and extremism, but critics say it is part of a wider crackdown on dissent in the country.

The blocked websites include Kloop, a popular independent news website, and Azattyk, the Kyrgyz service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

The move has been met with widespread condemnation from international rights groups, who say it is a violation of freedom of expression.

The European Union has called on Kyrgyzstan to immediately unblock the websites, saying it is "deeply concerned" by the move.

The United States has also condemned the move, saying it is "a serious blow to freedom of the press in Kyrgyzstan."

The Kyrgyz government has defended the move, saying it is necessary to protect the country from fake news and extremism.

However, critics say the move is part of a wider crackdown on dissent in the country.

In recent months, the Kyrgyz government has also cracked down on opposition politicians and activists.

In March, the government arrested opposition politician Sadyr Japarov on charges of kidnapping.

In April, the government banned a peaceful protest against the arrest of Japarov.

The crackdown on dissent has raised concerns about the state of democracy in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan is a former Soviet republic that has been independent since 1991.

The country has a population of about 6 million people and is located in Central Asia.

Kyrgyzstan is a member of the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.