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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia | |
| Uzbeks protest at court ruling | |
| 2005-05-10 | |
| An unprecedented demonstration has taken place in the central Asian nation of Uzbekistan. At least 1,000 people gathered in the eastern town of Andizhan to demand justice for a group of 23 young men accused of being Islamic extremists. Long lines of protestors stretched down the streets around the courthouse - women on one side, men on the other. Tuesday's unprecedented call for justice was extremely well organised. The protesters were dressed in their best clothes, and the scene was peaceful and good humoured. They had made long wooden benches especially for the women to sit down, and they had also brought supplies of food and water. The demonstrators even had their own guards and a cameraman to ward off any interference by the militia. There have been many such court cases in Uzbekistan in recent years, but this is the first time that there has been such a large-scale protest. It has been organised by the families of the accused, many of whom have several sons already in jail.
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| Posted by:Steve |