Muhammad Bekzhon (Bekjanov)

D.o.b: c. 1955

Profession: Journalist (formerly)

Date of arrest: March 1999

Sentence: 15 years, reduced to 12 years after evidence pointing to his innocence surfaced in 2003.

Details of arrest: Because of the crackdown on dissidents, Bekjanov fled to the Ukraine. Accused of being involved in a series of explosions in Tashkent, he was arrested in Kiev on 15 March 1999 and extradited to Uzbekistan. Several others were arrested in connection with these events (Click here for more information).

Trial details: His arrest was linked to his association with the exiled opposition leader Muhammad Salih and the charges linked to his work on Erk, the opposition party's newspaper banned since 1994. ome of the defendants have testified to having been tortured including beatings, electric shock and the threat of rape to female family members. In August 1999, Bekjanov was sentenced to 15 years in prison, convicted 'of publishing and distributing a banned newspaper containing slanderous criticism of President Islam Karimov; participating in a banned political protest; and attempting to overthrow the regime. In addition, the court found them guilty of illegally leaving the country and damaging their Uzbek passports.'

Professional details: Former contributor to Erk, the newspaper published by the opposition party Erk.

Place of detention: KIN UYA 64/51 Prison, Shaykhali, Karshi, South Uzbekistan.

Health concerns: There have been some serious concerns over Bekjanov's health while in prison. He has lost considerable amounts of weight and suffered from malnutrition. Relatives who visited in early 2001 claim to have been alarmed by his state of health and reported that he required crutches. In 2003, Bekjanov was interviewed for the first since his imprisonment by the Centre for War and Peace Reporting and the Associated Press in the Takshent Prison Hospital where he was receiving treatment for tuberculosis. Bekjanov claimed that he suffered from daily torture and beatings, causing a broken leg and deafness in his right ear. In October 2006, he wife was allowed to visit him and she reported that Bekzhon still suffers from beatings and lost most of his teeth. Concern for his health remained acute as of late 2007.

His family: Brother of exiled opposition leader, Muhammad Salih. Bekjanov's brother, Rashid Bekzhon, was arrested alongside him. Another brother, Komil Bekzhon, a farmer with no known political connections, disappeared in May 1999. After his imprisonment, Bekjanov's wife fled to the United States.

Honorary Member: English PEN, Canada PEN, American PEN

Sources include: International and American PEN, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).