Category: Culture

Bozdag Film Studios, hosting successful series such as 'Dirilis Ertugrul', 'Kurulus Osman', and 'Destan', has opened for visitors and instantly become a magnet for Turkish series enthusiasts from around the globe.

Recognised as the third-largest film set globally and the largest in Europe, Bozdag Film Studios offers an immersive experience that takes visitors on a captivating journey through the depths of ancient Turkish history, with a primary focus on the glorious era of the Ottoman Empire.

Stepping onto these carefully constructed structures, purpose-built for the filming of TV series, visitors are transported to a bygone era, where historical buildings authentically recreate the grandeur of Turkish history.

The studio's awe-inspiring locations encompass a range of notable sites, including the Inegol Castle, Urgenc Market, Marmaracik Castle, Yenisehir Market, Kulucahisar Castle, Harzemshah Palace, Sogut, and Kayi Tribe sections.

Each locale unveils a distinct facet of the Ottoman Empire's legacy, immersing visitors in the rich tapestry of Turkish culture.

At the heart of the Kayi Tribe sections, prominently featured in the beloved TV series "Dirilis Ertugrul" and "Kurulus Osman," visitors can not only capture stunning photographs in traditional Turkish costumes but also partake in an array of engaging activities.

What is offered?

From horseback riding to witnessing the production of Turkish crafts, guests are invited to explore the daily lives of the Kayi people, gaining firsthand experience and knowledge of the era.

However, the studio's allure extends beyond the meticulously crafted sets. Visitors are treated to the unique opportunity to meet and interact with the actors who bring these historical narratives to life.

For those seeking a moment of respite, the Sogut area provides a haven of tranquility. Visitors can indulge in traditional juices and coffee while reveling in the ambiance of centuries past.

Additionally, a souvenir shop offers the chance to take a piece of Turkish heritage home, with traditional costumes available for purchase.

The Bozdag Film Studios have become a beacon for enthusiasts not only within Turkiye but also from far-flung corners of the globe, drawing visitors from the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, the Balkans, and Latin America.

A vision came true

Mehmet Bozdag, the head of Bozdag Film's board of directors, producer, and screenwriter, shared his vision for the studio and expressed his dream of transforming the set of the series into a grand studio open for visits when he embarked on the journey of “Dirilis Ertugrul.”

"We were inspired by similar ventures abroad and felt that our own historical epics deserved to be experienced by audiences firsthand. The places where the series are shot, the atmospheric ambience, the relentless efforts, and the intricate sets—all of this should be seen,” Bozdag added.

Since its inception, the studio has garnered tremendous interest from visitors, who are enchanted by the experience that goes beyond just a standard studio visit.

Bozdag expressed his gratitude, stating, "The satisfaction of our viewers is paramount. We constantly strive to enhance the allure of the studio, ensuring that every visitor leaves with unforgettable memories."

Looking towards the future, Bozdag revealed plans to create grand shows of epic proportions within the studio. Working closely with his team, he envisions captivating audiences with spectacles that will draw crowds of thirty to forty thousand people, starting in April next year.

Source: TRTworld.com

The government had refused to lift the controversial ban last year, despite lifting all other Covid-related measures. The midnight music ban, which was enforced as part of Covid-19 restrictions, has finally been lifted. This ban faced significant criticism for its continued enforcement, particularly from those in the performing arts industry, while other Covid-related measures were lifted.

The Musicians' Union (MÜYORBIR) expressed their joy in an announcement, stating, "We are thrilled to announce that pandemic-related restrictions in the music industry have been lifted nationwide. We extend our gratitude to the ministries and individuals involved in making this important decision. We hope that music will never fall silent."

Back in June 2021, President and Chair of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had revealed the decision, saying, "We are extending the limitation on music until midnight. No one should have the right to disturb others during the late hours."

As the 2023 tourism season commenced, the music ban was initially lifted in Antalya and subsequently in Mugla based on the decisions of the Provincial Public Hygiene Boards. In Izmir, the music ban was extended to later hours

Source: English Bianet

The Legend of the Thousand Bulls (Binbogalar Efsanesi), the famous novel by the deceased Turkish novelist Yasar Kemal in 1971, has been adapted into a musical, which premiered at the 51st Istanbul Music Festival on June 17.

Kemal’s words have been turned into a cosmos of sounds and beats by a group of musicians including Michael Ellison, an American, and Ulrich Mertin, who is a German.

"His (Kemal’s) work opens up an immensely creative space, so you feel free," says Ellison, who has read almost all the works of the Turkish novelist since a friend introduced him to Kemal’s novels.

“His perspective is totally different from the others.”

Ellison and Mertin, have lived in Istanbul for over a decade. They spoke to TRT World about their passion for traditional Turkish folk music and their journey of composing the musical theatre.

They shared a common dream and came up with the idea of founding the Hezarfen Ensemble, an Istanbul-based music band that introduces contemporary melodies into Istanbul's diverse musical scene, in 2010 after they ran into each other for the first time in Istanbul.

Over the years, the ensemble has aspired to make more transcultural music in collaboration with traditional instrumentalists.

Michael and Ulrich want to introduce Türkiye’s rich culture to a broader audience as part of their effort to increase cultural encounters.

"I am German, and he is American, but we're sharing a passion for Türkiye," Ulrich says.

"Türkiye can be seen as a pool of creativity with its history, art, and music.”

He thinks the country's enriched cultural landscape, which sparks the creativity of artists from other countries, must be well-introduced to the outside world.

"With our work, we give sonic impulses to fill that gap."

'Above and beyond'

The Hezarfen Ensemble launched a contemporary music project called "Beyond East and West" in 2015. The project, funded by the European Research Council (ERC) between 2015-2020, aims to foster collaboration between musicians of maqam, the system of melodic modes in Eastern music, and the creation of innovative transcultural ensemble compositions.

Under Ellison’s leadership, the project, has been incorporating traditional Turkish instruments and vocal styles into contemporary music.

Ellison explains how they intentionally left the definition for the project open-ended. "There shouldn't be one formula. If you have musicians working creatively for different musical traditions, all kinds of things could come out of this work," he says.

Within the scope of "Beyond East and West", various performances, workshops, conferences, and lectures have been held in Istanbul and Germany.

The project provided opportunities for aspiring musicians and individuals interested in expanding their artistic skills and knowledge of Turkish musical traditions through educational sessions.

Instances from southern Anatolia's oral traditions such as deyis and bozlak, religious musical circles such as Mevlevi Ayini ceremonies, Turkish folk music workshops with traditional instruments such as kemence, kanun, ney; were some of the elements that helped the participants of the project achieve a broader view of the fusion between the two cultures.

For the ensemble, it’s not about making music of East or West but above and beyond all the divisions. Ellison says it’s about "drawing from multiple traditions and having creativity coming out of all."

The ensemble says they have used their music to highlight the works of Turkish artists. “This needs to be done because Türkiye is so rich in art and creativity. And often, people outside of the country don’t know that,” says Ulrich.

Binbogalar Efsanesi

Yasar Kemal has inspired Ellison to compose a musical before. In 2016 "The Sea-Crossed Fisherman" (Deniz Kustu), another novel by Yasar Kemal, was brought to the stage by Ellison at an opera.

However, "Binbogalar Efsanesi is the peak of our development," Ulrich says. "Because it's very organic," Michael adds.

The story in "The Legend of the Thousand Bulls" revolves around the last remaining nomadic Yoruk tribes in the Cukurova region of southeastern Türkiye, whose thousand-year-old rural lives were torn apart by modernisation and sedentary lifestyles. The musical theatre is inspired by the region's traditional bozlak music.

The literary genius of Kemal, accompanied by his successful sociological and anthropological observations, provides both the artists and the audience who get to hear a musical version of his works with a better understanding of the geography and culture of Türkiye.

The project team aims to ignite a growing curiosity within their audience about Anatolian culture, even if they come from familiar backgrounds. They want the audience to leave the venue with a heightened interest and desire to explore these facets further.

"I would like to see people leave our show saying 'Wow, I knew bozlak and all these, but they are presented so differently, with different connotations.' And to say 'there seems to be more (meaning),'" tells Ulrich.

He believes that seeing cultural elements placed in different contexts than ever before will open up new doors, for those who will see the play, towards their own culture.

"People should be proud and curious about the elements that constitute Turkish culture. This is one of our aims with Hezarfen's work," he says.

Source: TRTworld.com

Artists fleeing the grinding conflict in Ukraine have found refuge in the resort city of Antalya on Türkiye's south coast, where they have created a new musical scene.

Most of them did not have time to pack anything but their instruments — a violin, a cello, or dancing shoes. Now, almost no musical evening in the buoyant hotels and cafes of the Turkish Riviera goes on without Ukrainian songs on the programme.

"It's a place where people can find peace and quiet amid the beauty of the Mediterranean, that inspires them for the creation of something new, of something freer," Alexandra Dmitrienko, a ballet dancer, told TRT World.

Dmitrienko came to Alanya, a district in Antalya, last March along with her daughter while the war was raging just 30 kilometres from her hometown of Odessa, one of the main targets of the Russian offensive. Her husband stayed back, as men were not allowed to leave Ukraine.

"Our relatives were here. They invited us to Alanya because of the warm sea climate that would be better for the child at this difficult time," she recalls.

As a dancer, Dmitrienko now performs in several dance groups in Antalya, utilising her prowess to combine local dance moves with Western and Ukrainian traditions. When the summer season ends, she gives private dance lessons to children.

"It's a thriving centre of opportunities for artists. The local hotels and restaurants offer a wide range of shows. It’s definitely easier to find a job for a creative person,” she says.

The Mediterranean resorts of the Turkish Riviera have boasted a thriving cultural scene for decades.

Antalya is home to dozens of world-famous cultural events, such as the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival, the first of its kind in Türkiye. Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival is the oldest and the most prestigious international film festival in the country. Local media refers to this festival as the “Oscars of Turkish cinema”.

Since the Russian offensive started last February, Antalya has become a haven for Ukrainian musicians and artists as well. Many of them found jobs at hotels and restaurants, so they could afford food and shelter while they pursued their careers. Some started their own art studios in Antalya, where they sold their artwork and provided for themselves while pursuing their creative ambitions.

Despite the hardships of starting a new life, Ukrainian artists have found ways to succeed. According to Dmitrienko, Ukrainians give concerts and participate in all local fairs, performing both Ukrainian and Turkish traditional dance and music.

"In Türkiye, it seems to me almost everyone dances and practically everyone sings. Wherever you look there will be music playing in a cafe, a passer-by will just come in and start dancing folk dances," Dmitrienko notes. "It seems to me that this national spirit, such an attachment to one's identity, has a lot in common with the Ukrainian attitude".

Those living in Antalya have organised a Ukrainian youth community, she says. They promote all kinds of creative evenings — not only for children, but for adults too.

“We're not just here to entertain the kids. We ourselves also need to be distracted from the news coming from our country", she nods.

“At first, it was very challenging to play the violin when everything around me was captured by the war,” said Ekaterina, a 27-year-old Ukrainian who studied at the Moscow School of Music, in an interview with TRT World.

She fled Russia through Belarus shortly after the war broke out. Border officials there almost repatriated her to Russia, but she had booked a hotel from Türkiye. That convinced authorities she was just going for a vacation.

“That saved me from returning to Moscow, and I could escape to Türkiye,” Ekaterina said. She settled in Alanya last March, hoping to avoid the fallout of the conflict.

To distract herself from the tragic news coming out of Ukraine, Ekaterina found a music store where local musicians were gathering for jam sessions and joined in. Not long after she created an instrumental ensemble with her co-players, performing Ukrainian and Turkish music.

Now her musical group — made up of citizens of Ukraine, Türkiye and Russia — performs at most tourist attractions in the coastal region. This is in addition to her performances at five-star hotels and in a local orchestra, as well as teaching.

For now, she is trying to introduce a culture of jam sessions to the musical life of Alanya. She also plans to create a classical string quartet.

Ekaterina, however, feels it is limiting to talk of just the community of Ukrainian musicians.

“The unifying effect of music is that it does not require a passport. You're just playing — whoever you are,” she said.

At the moment she is recording an album with a pianist and composer from Rostov-on-Don, a Russian city just a few kilometres from the border with Ukraine. He fled to Türkiye because of his strong anti-war stance and found refuge in Alanya.

"I would also like to mention the Turkish musicians who, at my request, learned the songs of the popular Ukrainian group Okean Elzy so that we could perform them at our concerts. I, in turn, learned Turkish songs so that we could add them to our programme as well," Ekaterina added.

Burak Yagar, a guitarist from Alanya, said the influx of Ukrainians into the city will "100 percent have a positive effect on the local culture,” and believes that Ukrainian and Russian artists are already influencing the performance level in the province.

"We just need more time to feel it, maybe in the next five years we will be able to see the changes more clearly,” Burak told TRT World.

In September, the governor of Antalya province said the number of foreigners in the region had more than doubled in two years to over 177,000. Among them are more than 50,000 Russians and 18,000 Ukrainians. In a statement to TRT World, the Alanya Municipality said the city “hosts people from 130 nationalities, offering a peaceful life to over 50,000 foreigners.”

Ekaterina recalls one especially moving moment last summer, when Ukrainians worked on charity music shows in Antalya.

"Those were the days when Ukraine was heavily bombed. We sat in the dressing room, cried after reading the news and hugged, bracing for something worse,” she recalls.

"Then we just put on makeup and went on stage to show that Ukraine is strong and our soul — our music — cannot be defeated.”

Source: TRTworld.com

In this country, the armed conflict, bullets, bombs, and armored vehicles took the lives of hundreds of children. The perpetrators have either not stood trial at all, or received minor punishments, almost like rewards. The systematic impunity is creating new perpetrators every day. Ugur Kaymaz, Ceylan Önkol, Berkin Elvan, Miray bebek, Cemile Çagirga, Erdem Askan...

The vehicle that a specialist sergeant was using hit 5-year-old Erdem Askan on Wednesday (June 7) in Yüksekova, Hakkari, and killed him. The specialist sergeant responsible for the death, A.K.P. with his initials, was released on condition of judicial control.

The death of the minor brought to our minds the child deaths caused by armed conflict, by mines, unattended explosives, bullets, bomb explosions, violence, and mistakes/negligence of the officials or armored vehicles throughout all these years.

The armed conflict took 569 children's lives

In the 1988-2013 period of armed conflict, 569 children were killed in the east and southeast provinces of Turkey according to a report by the Human Rights Association (IHD).

Armored vehicles kill 21 children in 15 years

The Diyarbakir branch of the IHD keeps track of the children killed after they were hit by armored vehicles or vehicles used by the security personnel in Kurdish-majority provinces. The branch reports that 21 children were killed and 23 were injured in 82 such incidents in the last 15 years.

Hit by 13 bullets at the age of 12

12-year-old Ugur Kaymaz was killed in a barrage of gunfire together with his father Ahmet Kaymaz in front of their house in Kiziltepe, Mardin on November 21, 2004. Ugur was killed with his slippers on his feet. 13 bullets were found on his small body and 8 on his father's.

The Mardin Governorship announced that the father and son were "terrorists preparing for an action," and Kalashnikovs were left by their side in the pictures that were leaked to the press. The four police officers who stood trial were acquitted. Turkey was convicted in the case that was brought to the European Court of Human Rights for "violation of the right to life."

Her mother collects Ceylan's pieces on her skirt

Ceylan Önkol was killed with a mortal shell when she was only 12 while she was grazing sheep in Senlik in Lice, Diyarbakir. Her mother was able to reach her daughter's dead body 6 hours later and she had to collect pieces of her daughter's dead body on her skirt.

Not a single perpetrator stood trial and the judicial processes that the family started did not reach any result. The Administrative Court ruled that compensation of 283 thousand lira (37,530 dollars) should be paid to the family.

Berkin Elvan died at 16 kilograms at the age of 15

Berkin Elvan, died on March 11, 2014, after staying for months in a coma after a tear gas capsule shot by the police hit his head during the Gezi Park protests on June 16, 2013. He was 15 years old and only 16 kilograms when he died after 269 days of coma.

The case ended eight years after Elvan's death and the police officer that the court found guilty was given a prison sentence of 16 years and 8 months.

19 of those killed in Roboski in air bombardment were children

34 people were killed, 19 of whom were children in the Roboski village of Uludere, Sirnak, as a result of the bombardment by the warplanes of the Turkish Armed Forces on the night of December 28, 2011. The massacre was not reported on the news channels at night or in the morning. The mainstream media reported the event only after it was announced on the official website of the Turkish General Staff.

The dead bodies and body pieces were burnt. The villagers had to carry the dead bodies of their beloved on blankets over mules.

Years passed but no perpetrators were identified and no one stood trial.

7-year-old Muhammed and 6-year-old Furkan Yildirim brothers were killed, hit by a panzer that crushed into their house on May 4, 2017, in Silopi, Sirnak. Ö.Y., the police officer driving the panzer was released in the first hearing.

Later the police officer was given 19 thousand lira as a penalty, and his superior M.M. was acquitted.

At least 80 children were killed during curfews

The data that IHD and the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TIHV) collected during the 2015-2016 curfews show that at least 80 children were killed during these curfews.

Nearly all the files ended up with assailants unidentified at the courts.

Three-month-old Miray baby

An 89-day-old baby, Miray Ince, the grandmother, and the grandfather were hit by bullets at their house during the curfew on December 25, 2015, in Cizre, Sirnak. Miray baby and the grandfather lost their lives.

A dead body in a deep freezer

Sirnak'in Cizre ilçesine bagli Cudi Mahallesi'nde 7 Eylül 2015'te Cemile Çagirga was killed by gunfire in Cizre, Sirnak in front of their house, opened from an armored vehicle. Because of the curfew, her family had to keep the dead body of 10-year-old Cemile Çagirga in the deep freezer for three days.

Bünyamin Irci (14), Selman Agar (9), Hakki Külte (13), Fatma Elarslan (13), Hüseyin Ertene (16), Mehmet Mete (10), Cihat Morgül (14), Rozerin Çukur (17) and Aydin Mete (17) were also killed in the same period in Cizre.

These children were among those whose files were closed at the courts, with "assailants unidentified."

The culture of impunity

Human rights organizations report that in incidents of death or injury that result from the acts of the security forces, often there are even no investigations started, or where there are investigations the perpetrators receive penalties that seem more like "rewards."

Impunity results in new incidents

Where there are no effective investigations or deterrent penalties, the perpetrators continue to get protection from the "impunity shield". Unfortunately, such deaths continue to be seen because of the lack of effective measures taken. Systematic impunity creates new perpetrators every day

Source: English Bianet

Music, they say, can change lives. And the organisers of the ongoing 51st Istanbul Music Festival are drawing from the healing powers of music to touch the lives of people affected in Türkiye’s provinces devastated by the February 6 twin earthquakes.

The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV), which organises the highly popular gig, has said that proceeds from the Istanbul Music Festival will be used to help students and instructors of fine art in the earthquake zone.

“We will provide instruments primarily to students and their instructors at fine arts high schools and music departments of conservatories whose instruments were damaged or lost during the natural disaster,” festival director Efruz Cakirkaya has announced.

The July 21-23 Wonderfeel Festival in the Netherlands, the sister festival of the Istanbul gig, will also donate its entire profits to the earthquake support fund.

Though no exact data is available on the musical instruments damaged in the earthquakes, their numbers are believed to run into several thousand across 11 provinces.

Over 50,000 people were killed in the earthquakes, and millions of others were left homeless in the country’s worst natural disaster in recent times.

More than 60 acclaimed musicians and groups are slated to take the stage in 25 concerts in 18 venues. The festival runs through June 17.

‘She’ is the theme

Cakirkaya said that this year’s festival has a special focus on the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

“We have prepared a festival programme that focuses on the image of Turkish women, one of the important principles of the Republic, strengthened by the principle of equality,” she said. “In this sense, we have given special orders and prepared projects for the festival.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, IKSV chairman Bulent Eczacibasi said the foundation was happy to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye with a festival.

“It is of great importance for us to continue our contributions to contemporary culture and art production and to provide opportunities for artists to express themselves,” he said.

“We also continue to open space for young people as the protagonists of the festival. We support young talents and promote classical music with free weekend concerts for music lovers of all ages.”

Masters in action

At the opening concert, the Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra and pianist Jan Lisiecki shared the stage at Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM).

On a night when plaques of appreciation were presented to institutions and organisations that have contributed to the festival, the ‘Honorary Award’ was given to composer and educator Hasan Ucarsu, considered a legend in contemporary Turkish music.

The 2022 Aydin Gun Encouragement Award – given to upcoming musicians - was presented to 25-year-old cellist Umut Saglam.

Among the famous names who will perform in the festival are prestigious ensembles and soloists such as Anne-Sophie Mutter, Barbara Hannigan, Nicolas Altstaedt, Matthias Goerne, Arabella Steinbacher, Lucienne Renaudin Vary, as well as Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Netherlands Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra, Munich Chamber Orchestra and Borusan Quartet.

Also, 12 new works will be performed during the festival, eight of which will have world premieres, and four will have Turkish premieres.

Source: TRTworld.com

As Moscow's brutal war in Ukraine drags on, ordinary Russians continue to leave their homeland to escape worsening economic conditions and evade military service.

With demand high among Russians for foreign visas and passports, a growing number of private Russian-based companies are offering services to obtain Kyrgyz citizenship for their Russian clients.

The companies, which describe themselves as law firms, have promoted Kyrgyzstan as a friendly, Russian-speaking country. They advertise that Kyrgyz citizenship can open the door to travel, study, and residency in Western countries.

Kyrgyzstan, an impoverished former Soviet nation, has maintained good relations with Moscow despite the war in Ukraine.

The private Russian companies charge between $1,500 and $14,000 for their services. Prices depend on whether clients want a consultation or a so-called all-inclusive service that involves preparing the paperwork, arranging a trip to Kyrgyzstan, and making appointments with passport officials there.

The process to obtain Kyrgyz citizenship can take between three to 18 months, with the Russian companies charging extra for expedited processing.

Official Kyrgyz figures show that the number of Russian citizens who acquired Kyrgyz passports increased fourfold last year. The government in Bishkek has insisted that every application for citizenship is carefully examined to prevent corruption.

An employee of one of the Russian firms that offer assistance to obtain Kyrgyz citizenship told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service that, on average, they charge around $12,000 per application.

Kyrgyzstan does not officially recognize dual citizenship with Russia. But the employee of the Russian firm said the company exploits legal loopholes to get Kyrgyz nationality for its Russian clients.

"Citizens of former Soviet countries -- those who were born before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 -- can legally get Kyrgyz citizenship through simplified procedures," said the employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"You will not lose your Russian citizenship because of this," the employee said. "We offer guarantees in our service. We have contacts at the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry and passport offices."

Clients are required to travel in person to the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, where they are accompanied by the firm's representatives to the passport office and other administrative buildings, the employee explained.

Tightening Visa Rules For Russians

Western countries tightened visa rules for Russian citizens following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, making it much harder and costlier for Russians to travel abroad for holidays, business, and education.

The exodus of Russians after the invasion also prompted countries like Turkey -- which has not joined Western sanctions against Moscow -- to toughen immigration rules.

Since December, Turkey -- a top destination for Russian emigres and tourists -- has made it harder for Russians to obtain short-term residency permits, several Russian nationals told RFE/RL.

Some banks in Turkey have also suspended the use of the Russian payment system Mir, which is popular with many Russians living in Turkey.

The tougher immigration rules in Turkey have made Kyrgyz citizenship attractive to a growing number of Russians.

"Now Kyrgyzstan is a convenient country to obtain citizenship in a short period of time," said the employee of the Russian firm offering Kyrgyz passports.

"Besides, it's a nice, Russian-speaking country, and it's not under any kind of sanctions. With a Kyrgyz passport you can travel to Europe, the United States, and other countries, whereas it's become very difficult to go abroad with a Russian passport," the employee said.

Prices for the company's services have been rising amid increased demand, the employee said.

The Kyrgyz Population Registration Department said 1,631 Russian citizens applied for Kyrgyz passports between January and the end of September 2022. That is an increase of more than a 400 percent from the same period in 2021, when 385 Russian nationals applied for Kyrgyz citizenship.

Among those who received Kyrgyz passports last year were Russian officials and businessmen and their family members, according to reports. It is unknown if they had applied for Kyrgyz nationality through private firms or other channels.

Kyrgyzstan's Digital Development Ministry, which oversees population registration and citizenship acquisition issues, said earlier this month that the authorities "thoroughly" examine each application for Kyrgyz citizenship.

The ministry urged people not to trust "dubious" advertisements on the Internet which offer Kyrgyz passports.

Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty