Uzbek authorities arrested a prominent human rights activist who has strongly criticized the violence in the eastern city of Andijan, U.S.-based Human Rights Watch said Tuesday. Saidjahon Zaynabitdinov was detained Saturday on charges that haven't been announced, but Human Rights Watch said his arrest appeared to be linked to his remarks on the May 13 bloodshed when Uzbek forces opened fire on a demonstration after armed militants released jail inmates and seized government buildings.Zaynabitdinov has been prominently quoted by international media condemning the crackdown and has said the death toll in Andijan could be as many as 1,000 or more — far above government claims that 169 people died. Uzbek President Islam Karimov has rejected international calls for an independent investigation. "The Uzbek government should release (Zaynabitdinov) immediately pending an independent review of any charges against him," said Holly Cartner, a director for New York-based Human Rights Watch.