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| Uzbek Imam To Go On Trial Today |
| 2006-07-31 |
| The trial of Uzbek Muslim cleric Rukhiddin Fakhrutdinov is scheduled to start in Tashkent city court today. Fakhrutdinov faces a number of charges, including terrorism and religious extremism. Fakhrutdinov fled Uzbekistan after a series of bombings in Tashkent and Bukhara in 2004 that were blamed by authorities on religious extremists. He was detained in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, last year and forcibly returned to Uzbekistan. In a statement released on July 28, the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Fakhrutdinov had been abducted by Kazakh security agents, who "have yet to acknowledge any role in Fakhrutdinov's transfer to Uzbekistan." HRW also expressed concern about Fakhrutdinov's right to a fair trial. The group says Fakhrutdinov was denied access to his attorney of choice for two months after his return to Uzbekistan and that he had indicated to his lawyer that he had been beaten while in Uzbek custody. HRW says Fakhrutdinov is one of about 80 Uzbek nationals who fled to Kazakhstan to escape religious persecution. It says they have faced harassment, surveillance, and the threat of forced return. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #1 HRW nailed it, booming is his religion and he is persecuted/prosecuted for it. |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2006-07-31 17:09 |