Uzbekistan: Members called to support imprisoned journalist

Posted January 20th, 2009 by English PEN staff & filed under Campaigns.

English PEN is calling for the release of Salijon Abdurahmanov, arrested in June 2008 and sentenced in October 2008 to ten years in prison.

Abdurahmanov’s ten year sentence was upheld in November, when his appeal was overturned by the Supreme Court and the conviction finalised. He is now in Karshi prison where a relative has been able to visit who reported that although he has been held in isolation, he is not being ill-treated.

Although Abdurahmanov is accused of dealing in illegal drugs, PEN and other international organisations believe that he is being punished for his criticism of the Uzbek authorities. Aburahmov has denied that he is a narcotics dealer saying that the drugs were planted in the car. He claims that no finger prints were taken from the packages, allegedly containing marijuana and cocaine, nor was he questioned about where they came from, which would be normal procedure in such cases. Furthermore, Abdurahmanov had originally also been charged with drug use, but this charge was dropped after the investigation revealed that he is not a drug user. His lawyers state that no evidence has been produced in court to substantiate the charges.

Abdurahmanov is known for his reports on human rights abuses and corruption, and has written for a variety of publications including Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, Voice of America, the Institute of War and Peace Reporting and the website uznews.net which is blocked in Uzbekistan, Abdurahmanov, is known for his reports on human rights abuses and corruption. Uznews is blocked in Uzbekistan. He had apparently written an article that had criticised local traffic police shortly before his arrest. Organisations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch state that the sentence is clearly aimed stopping his critical reporting.

For more on this case:

PEN Alert issued August 2008: http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/index.cfm?objectid=C5B00E3D-E0C4-ED84-086E308E9DB6A5C2

Keep abreast of the case and other Uzbekistan news through the Uznews site: http://www.uznews.net/index.php?lng=en

Statement from Human Rights Watch – http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2008/09/11/uzbekistan-release-independent-journalist

Please send appeals:

- Expressing concern that Salijon Abdurahmanov remains detained on charges that many fear to have been fabricated and in retaliation for his reporting on human rights
- Seeking assurances that he is not held in violation of his rights to freedom of expression

Appeals to:

Islam A. Karimov
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Rezidentysia prezidenta
Ul. Uzbekistaniskaia 43
Tashkent
Uzbekistan
Fax: 998 71 139 5325
Email: presidents_office@press-service.uz

Rashidzhon Kodirov
General Prosecutor
Prokuratura Respubliki Uzbekistan
Ul. Gulyamova 66, 700047
Tashkent
Uzbekistan
Fax: 998 71 133 39 17/133 73 68
Email: prokuratura@lawyer.com

Akmal Saidov
Head of the National Centre for Human Rights
Natsionalny tsentr po pravam cheloveka
5/3 Mustakillik Maidoni
Tashkent 700029
Uzbekistan
Fax: 998 71 139 13 56

Please also send copies to the ambassadors of Uzbekistan in your country: