Uzbekistan: Prominent human rights defender Karim Bozorboyev released from prison

Prominent Uzbek human rights defender Karim Bozorboyev has been released from prison, just a month after he was sentenced to more than six years for fraud, a colleague said Friday 04/01/2007.

Further Information

Posted 09/01/2008 Karim Bozorboyev, deputy chairman of the Esguliq human rights group, was freed under an amnesty celebrating the 15th anniversary of Uzbekistan's constitution, Esguliq chairman Isroil Rizaev told The Associated Press.

Bozorboyev joined the group in 2004 after leaving Fidokorlar, a government-sponsored political party, saying he was disgusted with corruption in the Uzbek government. Last month, a court in the central city of Syrdarya sentenced Bozorboyev to six years and three months in jail.

At least 15 Uzbek human rights activists say they have been assaulted, imprisoned or forced into psychiatric treatment since a May 2005 uprising in the eastern city of Andijan.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov, a former Communist party boss, has ruled the country since 1991, suppressing opposition and silencing dissent. He drew 88 percent of the vote in elections last month that were dismissed as undemocratic by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.Copyright Associated Press