After 18 years of imprisonment in Uzbekistan released a well-known journalist

In 1999, bekzhanova arrested on the territory of Ukraine and extradited to his homeland.

Uzbek journalist Bekjanov was released after nearly 18 years of imprisonment.

“Bekjanov almost 18 years suffered for exercising their right to freedom of the press,” said managing Director of the human rights organization “reporters without borders” Christian World, called the journalist’s release “signal that pressure on authoritarian regimes sooner or later will bear fruit”.

“Reporters without borders” in 2013, awarded who was then in custody of Muhammad Bekzhanov the title of “journalist of the year”.

In the first years of Uzbekistan’s independence Bekzhanov held the position of editor of the influential opposition newspaper “Erk” (“Freedom”). The journalist was forced to leave the country after the 1994 edition was prohibited.

In 1999, the Uzbek government accused the opposition of organizing the explosions in Tashkent. Bekzhanov was arrested in Ukraine and extradited to his homeland, where, according to human rights activists, under torture, he was forced to sign a confession.

Meanwhile, back in December, the 62-year-old Bekzhanov was in a punishment cell, which he was denied visits of relatives, according to “Fergana”.

In addition bekzhanova, in Uzbekistan for its operations convicted of at least 9 journalists who believe “reporters without borders”. The organization calls the detention conditions in Uzbek prisons “inhuman”.

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