Eldiyar Arykbaev, Kyrgyzstan, is an award-winning investigative journalist dedicated to uncovering corruption and promoting transparency in Central Asia. He has spent more than 14 years in journalism, transitioning from a senior manager and trainer at a Kyrgyz media organization, Kloop, to a leading figure in regional investigative reporting.
He currently works for the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project , leading major investigations across Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan.
His stories have uncovered corruption and smuggling schemes involving over $10 billion in illicit and questionable funds, exposing the secret operations of high-ranking officials and business elites.
In 2019, Eldiyar was honored with the Tom Renner Award from the Investigative Reporters and Editors as part of a team and the Egizbayev Award from the Investigative Journalism Fund in Kyrgyzstan.