15:12 msk, 20 june 2013

Central Asia news

Kyrgyzstan: Kamchibek Tashiyev freed. Parliament’s dissolution imminent?

Kyrgyzstan: Kamchibek Tashiyev freed. Parliament’s dissolution imminent?

19.06.2013 09:58 msk Analytics Politics Kyrgyzstan

In the evening of 17 June 2013, the second level court in Bishkek acquitted the three Kyrgyz MPs who were charged with an attempt to illegally usurp power in the country. Kamchibek Tashiyev, Talant Mamytov and Sadyr Japarov walked out of the preliminary detention facility they were in keeping their Member of Parliament status and the relevant immunity intact. Some analysts in Kyrgyzstan and abroad assume that this could set in motion the largest political crisis in three years [since the last revolution in 2010].

Sergey Abashin: Osh events at crossroads of oblivion

Sergey Abashin: Osh events at crossroads of oblivion

11.06.2013 01:37 msk Analytics Politics Kyrgyzstan

Sergey Abashin, PhD in history, is a leading fellow at the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology under the Russian Academy of Sciences. In his piece below, he ponders lessons and challenges of the bloody events in Southern Kyrgyzstan in June 2010.

“Negotiations” lead to scuffle and power usurpation in Kyrgyzstan

“Negotiations” lead to scuffle and power usurpation in Kyrgyzstan

03.06.2013 01:37 msk Business Politics Kyrgyzstan

Disorders and disturbances, clashes between the “opposition” and law enforcement bodies, police officers fleeing from rally participants, freed “hostages,” loudmouthed speakers and hasty statements on the part of politicians. Does this all not sound too familiar? Yes, we did – here in Kyrgyzstan. This is how the first and the second revolutions here started. Could one say the incumbent authorities triggered the third one?

Catherine Fitzpatrick: Uzbek nation entitled to all rights as others, but not right to extremism

Catherine Fitzpatrick: Uzbek nation entitled to all rights as others, but not right to extremism

31.05.2013 00:26 msk Human Rights Politics Religious life Migration Interview Central Asia Uzbekistan

The US-based independent expert on Eurasia and Russian translator Catherine Ann Fitzpatrick answered Fergana editor-in-chief's questions. The interview was on the recent arrest of another former Uzbek citizen in the United States, Fazliddin Kurbanov. The expert is certain that there were most serious justifications for Kurbanov's arrest and there can be no excuse for terrorism and extremism. Catherine also believes that the several isolated incidences of arrests of Uzbek nationals is not a reason to speak of trends at all.

Fazliddin Kurbanov’s case, or How President Islam Karimov’s opponents are persecuted in the USA

Fazliddin Kurbanov’s case, or How President Islam Karimov’s opponents are persecuted in the USA

28.05.2013 09:22 msk Analytics Human Rights Politics Migration Uzbekistan

Fazliddin Kurbanov, an Uzbekistani immigrant in the USA was detained for alleged support of terrorism. Is Kurbanov’s case a typical one or something extraordinary? Can one speak of tendencies? Why do refugees, seeking refuge from persecutions in the freest country in the world, wind up under the authorities’ watchful eye? Are the charges pressed against them serious? If they are, what makes them take the criminal path? Who are these people? Terrorists, freedom fighters or victims of special services back home? Sadly, there are no full answers to these questions?

German airbase in Uzbekistan: Illegal market for German goods

German airbase in Uzbekistan: Illegal market for German goods

08.05.2013 22:03 msk Business Politics Central Asia Uzbekistan

The Strategic Military and Transport Base of the Federative Republic of Germany is located in the Uzbek town of Termez near the Afghan border; its maintenance costs several tens of millions of euros a year. The Germans use this civilian airport as a “trampoline” into Afghanistan since late 2001. The base houses several hundreds of servicemen who provide logistics for dispatching and receiving aircraft with cargo and troops. The exact amount of money the German government spends on the base is unverifiable. On the other hand, the base does not only mean expenditures. Since early this year, the base has turned into a source of significant side income for the German soldiers and officers.

Silent approval: Judges “sustain” beating advocates in Kyrgyz courts

Silent approval: Judges “sustain” beating advocates in Kyrgyz courts

19.04.2013 22:06 msk Human Rights Politics Kyrgyzstan

Beating lawyers is becoming somewhat of a norm if they are defending suspects tried for June 2010 events in Kyrgyzstan. In 2010 alone, about 150 lawyers refused to represent and defend interests of ethnic Uzbeks, fearing harassment and beating by claimants and their supporters. Fergana wrote about specific incidences and attacks on lawyers, which were most frequent in the country’s south. But not all lawyers are backing down under such an enormous pressure and hazard. Unfortunately, their requests for protection at court are usually ignored. Fergana has written about several trials there. Over the last three years that elapsed since the June 2010 events, ethnic Uzbeks’ cases were tried at all judicial levels and some even reached the Supreme Court in Bishkek, in the country’s north. The lawyers were hopeful judges in the capital would be more civilized and would demand order in their courts. However, it was not so.

Uzbek President: “It is impossible to encircle the Internet with an iron fence or ban it”

Uzbek President: “It is impossible to encircle the Internet with an iron fence or ban it”

05.04.2013 21:48 msk Internet Uzbekistan

The head of Uzbek state is certain that it is impossible to ban the Internet altogether. He has said so during a speech at the Tashkent Regional Council on 1 Apr. 2013. It is noteworthy that the official Uzbek mass media outlets did not publish this rather outstanding statement delivered in Russian, except for Gazeta.uz that put it under the Quote of the Week section.

Kyrgyz state communications agency chief allows unblocking Fergana access

Kyrgyz state communications agency chief allows unblocking Fergana access

29.03.2013 11:15 msk Politics Internet Kyrgyzstan Russia

The head of the State Communications Agency (SCA) of Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Almaz Kadyrkulov, told the Vecherniy Bishkek newspaper that local ISPs “have the right” to unblock access to the Fergana news agency’s website: “[Communications] operators have the right to unblock [access to] the website, and I don’t care at all.” Mr. Kadyrkulov said these words after a local court ruled to stop hearings on blocked access due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Uzbek opposition leader insists President Karimov suffered heart failure

Uzbek opposition leader insists President Karimov suffered heart failure

23.03.2013 23:03 msk Politics Uzbekistan

The website of the Popular Movement of Uzbekistan, an Uzbek opposition group, reported Friday that Uzbek President Islam Karimov suffered a heart attack late 21 Mar. 2013. The information, however, was later refuted: the RIA Novosti agency’s anonymous sources claimed, “Uzbek President is in great shape as usual and does not display even indications of illness.” The Uzbek service of the BBC interviewed Mr. Muhammad Salih, the head of the opposition movement, who currently lives in Turkey. Mr. Salih insists he has reliable information from a source close to or even in the Uzbek government that the Uzbek leader is indeed ill. Fergana translated a part of the interview from Uzbek.

Islam Karimov and the Goldfish

Islam Karimov and the Goldfish

18.03.2013 09:59 msk Analytics Ferghana Valley Politics Central Asia Afghanistan Uzbekistan

Several Uzbek mass media outlets unexpectedly started beating the war bells over the last several days. Alert! The motherland is in danger! Russian and Central Asian mass media outlets echoed said concerns in reprinted articles with hints of dysphoria. This time around the chief alarmist is Ubaydullo Hakimov, supposedly a “former law enforcing agency officer” and “currently a security expert.” “An unidentified analyses department officer” at the Uzbek national security service sings along: “Hey, get up! We are facing an unexpected danger! Damned IMU shall attack us any minute from beyond the Pamir Mountains! As soon as snow on mountain slopes melts and mountain paths reveal themselves, the hordes of armed cap-a-pie militants will stream into the Fergana Valley!”

Uzbekistan: New Ferghana Railway Plan Tweaks Tajikistan

Uzbekistan: New Ferghana Railway Plan Tweaks Tajikistan

13.03.2013 21:31 msk Ferghana Valley Business Tajikistan Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s plan to build a new rail line linking Tashkent to the Fergana Valley would mean eliminating the current international route through Tajikistan, which has relied on roughly $25 million a year in transit fees. Following the break up of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan’s rail lines have become marginalized and underutilized, such as this abandoned track in Tajikistan's Sughd Province.

Kyrgyzstan: Revolutions no more?

Kyrgyzstan: Revolutions no more?

13.03.2013 09:00 msk Analytics Politics Kyrgyzstan

It is impossible to say whether Kyrgyzstan is to face another, third this time, coup d’état this spring. There are “revolution prerequisites” along with indications that nothing will happen. Events taking place in Kyrgyzstan today are almost mirroring the events that precipitated the two “revolutions” three and eight years ago, respectively. Like then, everything starts with spring. And the explanation behind the choice of time is quite straightforward: It is much easier to rally on warm days as opposed to cold and rainy/snowy days or under the hot sun. The latter factors knock-off one’s desire to demand anything, let alone a lengthy process of regime change.

“The State, it is I” or An unsuccessful bid to meet Gulnara Karimova

“The State, it is I” or An unsuccessful bid to meet Gulnara Karimova

08.03.2013 21:03 msk Human Rights Politics Interview Uzbekistan

Ms. Mutabar Tadzhibayeva, a renown human rights activist, the founder and the leader of the Fiery Hearts human rights center, arrived in Geneva from Paris, where she resides, to participate in the discussion of a documentary on the Andijan tragedy of 2005. The airing of the documentary and its subsequent discussion were event-free. However, something strange happened afterwards. The following excerpt in the Swiss newspaper Le Temps sheds some light: “The Uzbek journalist Mutabar Tadzhibayeva, who was tortured in a Tashkent prison and currently lives in exile in Paris, was invited to a film festival on human rights in Geneva, to talk about the cruelties of the Islam Karimov regime. On Sunday, on her way out of Switzerland, Mr. Tadzhibayeva was summoned by the Geneva police station at the airport. The reason was a lawsuit lodged by the permanent mission of Uzbekistan at the UN HQ in Geneva; the Uzbek president’s daughter, Gulnara Karimova, is the head of mission. Because Ms. Tadzhibayeva does not speak French and the claims against her were not translated for her, she decided to leave Switzerland.”

“The Ministry of Truth” of Uzbekistan: Art of lying through teeth

“The Ministry of Truth” of Uzbekistan: Art of lying through teeth

04.03.2013 10:49 msk Analytics Business Politics Uzbekistan

Oh, what joy these Uzbek statistics are! They are optimistic like the president smiling surrounded by happy subjects depicted posters. It is also far from reality as the Akhborot news bulletin, which daily reports on the non-existent grandiose successes. Last but certainly not least, they shamelessly lie like the government-run newspapers. And they, of course, are only pieces in the large propaganda machine, which could perhaps be called the “ministry of truth,” which continuously spits out more and more “proofs” of wellbeing, thriving and the “great future.” However, it turns out that even this seemingly flawless state machine breaks down once in a while…

Other news

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Media headlines

Reuters Dozens held in Turkey, silent protester goes viral, 20.06.2013

CNN Turkish demonstrators plan next moves, 20.06.2013

Eurasianet Turkey: Protests Taking New Shape, 19.06.2013

TeliaSonera Johan Dennelind appointed President and CEO of TeliaSonera, 18.06.2013

Washington Post Tumult in Turkey, 18.06.2013

Al Jazeera aksim Square is not Tahrir Square, 13.06.2013

Washington Post Turkey’s protests just a slice of a polarized country, 08.06.2013

Al Arabiya Turkey protest demands: The good, the bad, and the ridiculous, 08.06.2013

Al Jazeera What inspires Turkey's protest movement?, 06.06.2013

BBC Turkey protests: 'It's a fight for freedom', 06.06.2013

New York Times Protest Group Gives Turkish Official a List of Demands, 06.06.2013

Guardian Erdogan still a hero to some, in spite of violent protests, 05.06.2013

Al Jazeera Turkey protests continue despite apology, 05.06.2013

CNN What's driving unrest and protests in Turkey?, 05.06.2013

Stratfor Turkey's Violent Protests in Context, 04.06.2013

IWPR Uzbeks Steer Clear of Regional Afghan Response, 04.06.2013

BBC Protests 'no Turkish Spring', says PM Erdogan, 04.06.2013

New York Times Peaceful Protest Over Istanbul Park Turns Violent as Police Crack Down, 03.06.2013

Al Jazeera Turkey protesters clash with police, 03.06.2013

Radio Free Asia Central Asian Dams Spark Downstream Fears, 01.06.2013

Forum 18 UZBEKISTAN: Officials "acted like bandits", 30.05.2013

Uznews.Net Sign the petition to free Salijon Abdurahmanov!, 30.05.2013

New York Times Drone Strike Kills at Least 4 in Pakistan, 29.05.2013

Turkish Weekly The U.S. in Central Asia: Still an important balancer?, 29.05.2013

UNOG SENIOR UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIAL CONCLUDES VISIT TO TURKMENISTAN, 28.05.2013

Christian Sciense Monitor What's an American lawyer doing in Afghanistan?, 27.05.2013

Long War Journal Turkistan Islamic Party touts suicide bombings in Afghanistan, 27.05.2013

Eurasianet NATO To Open Liaison Office In Uzbekistan, 26.05.2013

Al Jazeera Guantanamo prisoners allege widespread abuse, 23.05.2013

Centralasiaonline Uzbekistan courts foreign investment, 23.05.2013

Eurasiareview Pakistan Elections: Imran Khan Down, But Not Out , 23.05.2013

The Hindu India to explore possibility of getting uranium from Uzbekistan, 22.05.2013

Eurasianet Turkmenistan: Arkadag’s Day at the Races Redux, 22.05.2013

US Department of State Release of the 2012 International Religious Freedom Report, 21.05.2013

Right Side News The Enemy Among Us – Even in Idaho, 21.05.2013

Forum 18 KAZAKHSTAN: Pentecostal jailed for 2 months pre-trial, Baptist gets 3-days jail, atheist still in psychiatric hospital, 21.05.2013

Net Indian Hamid Ansari to visit Uzbekistan from May 21-24, 20.05.2013

Boston Globe Women’s rights legislation is stymied in Afghanistan, 19.05.2013

TOL Karimova gets schooled in Twitter debate, 18.05.2013

Sharnoffs Global Views Umarov: My Vision for Uzbekistan, 17.05.2013

Deseret News Man who allegedly taught bomb making in Utah arrested in terrorism case, 17.05.2013

Eurasianet Kyrgyzstan: News Site Unblocked, Yet Still Illegal, 08.05.2013

BBC Bakhtiyar Hamrayev: Tributes paid to Uzbek activist , 07.05.2013

World Bulletin Uzbek opposition to meet in Turkey, 07.05.2013

Forum 18 UZBEKISTAN: Continuing denials of prisoners' freedom of religion or belief, 07.05.2013

Eurasia Review Afghanistan: Economic Transition Path To Long-Term Stability, 07.05.2013

Global Post Uzbekistan cracks down on underage marriage, 06.05.2013

Kimmel Live Jimmy Kimmel Talks to the Turkmenistan President, 06.05.2013

BBC In pictures: Kazakhstan's first gay wedding , 04.05.2013

Eurasianet Turkmenistan: Berdymukhamedov Takes Tumble, 30.04.2013

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