The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is alarmed by reports of the continuing detention of Ulaanbaatar Times editor-in-chief Chuluunbaatar Dolgor, who has been in custody since his arrest on March 24.

Chuluunbaatar, 51, was arrested on charges of “illegal privatisation and serious damage of public property” for his alleged involvement in the privatisation of the newspaper and its offices in Ulaanbaatar in 2008.

At the time Chuluunbaatar headed the newspaper’s management privatisation team involved in the privatisation process being conducted by the Capital City Privatisation Commission. He was appointed as editor-in-chief in 2008 at a time when the newspaper was in a dire financial situation and its offices had been partly destroyed.
Mongolian media reported in 2008 that the building had been privatised by former President Enkhbayar Nambar. Enkhbayar was later defeated at Mongolia’s May 24, 2009 presidential election. The Ulaanbaatar Times offices had formerly housed the Mongolian Government’s printing facility.

Chuluunbaatar, who is also Secretary General of IFJ affiliate the Confederation of Mongolian Journalists, faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. The journalist denies any wrongdoing in the case, and claims to have been asked by investigators on several occasions to reveal “who is behind” his actions.

Meidcal staff at the Detention Centre No. 461 where Chuluunbaatar is detained confirmed on April 27 the prognosis that he has serious health problems requiring urgent treatment made by Shagdarsuren private hospital on April 2. The journalist has been denied bail on nine separate occasions.

“The IFJ is alarmed by the refusal to grant Chuluunbaatar bail, despite the seriousness of the concerns for his health,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said. 

“We call for his immediate release from detention and full transparency in the case being brought against him.”