Uzbekistan

Also: See capsule reports on journalists in jail as of December 1, 2008

New York, December 4, 2008--Reflecting the rising influence of online reporting and commentary, more Internet journalists are jailed worldwide today than journalists working in any other medium. In its annual census of imprisoned journalists, released today, the Committee to Protect Journalists found that 45 percent of all media workers jailed worldwide are bloggers, Web-based reporters, or online editors. Online journalists represent the largest professional category for the first time in CPJ's prison census.

Alisher Saipov, a 26-year-old independent editor, was brutally silenced on October 24, 2007. An unidentified killer fired at him three times, using a Makarov pistol, in his hometown of Osh, Kyrgyzstan. 

New York, October 10, 2008--The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns today's politicized imprisonment of independent journalist Salidzhon Abdurakhmanov and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

New York, October 9, 2008--An Uzbek court should reject the politicized prosecution of independent journalist Salidzhon Abdurakhmanov and acquit him on fabricated drug possession charges, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Prosecutors are seeking a 17-year prison term for Abdurakhmanov, defense lawyer Rustam Tulyaganov told CPJ today. Nukus District Court Judge Kadyrbay Dzhamolov, who began hearing testimony last month, is expected to announce a verdict on Friday.

UZBEKISTAN

New York, August 5, 2008—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed to learn that police in the western Uzbek city of Nukus have brought another charge against an independent journalist to justify his arrest and detention, after initially bringing charges of drug use.

On August 2, investigators in Nukus acknowledged that Salidzhon Abdurakhmonov’s blood test results revealed no sign of drug use but instead of releasing the journalist, they slammed him with another charge—drug possession with intent to sell, which carries up to 20 years in prison, as opposed to the initial charge, which carried five years, independent news Web site Uznews reported.

New York, June 13, 2008--The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by the June 7 arrest of Salidzhon Abdurakhmanov, an independent Uzbek journalist for a number of international news outlets.

Police arrested Abdurakhmanov in the city of Nukus for alleged drug possession, independent news Web site Uznews reported. If convicted, Abdurakhmanov faces up to five years in prison, Uznews editor and CPJ International Press Freedom awardee Galima Bukharbaeva told CPJ. Abdurakhmanov was reporting on economic, human rights, and social issues and Uzbek prisons for Uznews at the time of his arrest.  

New York, June 13, 2008—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by the June 7 arrest of Solidzhon Abdurakhmonov, an independent Uzbek journalist for a number of international news outlets.

Police arrested Abdurakhmonov in the city of Nukus for alleged drug possession, independent news Web site Uznews reported. If convicted, Abdurakhmonov faces up to five years in prison, Uznews editor and CPJ International Press Freedom awardee Galima Bukharbaeva told CPJ. Abdurakhmonov was reporting on economic, human rights, and social issues and Uzbek prisons for Uznews at the time of his arrest.  

His Excellency Islam Karimov
President of Uzbekistan
Dom Pravitelstva
Tashkent 70000
Uzbekistan

Via facsimile: + (998) 71 139 5325

Dear Mr. President,

On the third anniversary of the May 13, 2005, massacre of civilians by Uzbek security forces in the city of Andijan, the Committee to Protect Journalists--an independent, nonpartisan organization that defends journalist rights worldwide--calls on you and your government to cease your unrelenting repression of Uzbekistan's independent and opposition media.