(JuHI/IFEX) – According to information distributed by the Union of Independent Journalists of Uzbekistan (UIJU), freelance journalist Oleg Sarapulov, who is also the UIJU’s deputy executive director, was arrested last week by Yakasaray district Internal Affairs Department (IAD) employees in Tashkent. Sarapulov was arrested at his home on 6 March 2002 and taken to the […]
(JuHI/IFEX) – According to information distributed by the Union of Independent Journalists of Uzbekistan (UIJU), freelance journalist Oleg Sarapulov, who is also the UIJU’s deputy executive director, was arrested last week by Yakasaray district Internal Affairs Department (IAD) employees in Tashkent. Sarapulov was arrested at his home on 6 March 2002 and taken to the Yakasaray district IAD.
UIJU learned of Sarapulov’s detention on 9 March. UIJU President Ruslan Sharipov immediately went to the Yakasaray district IAD, where the militia captain on duty, Tohir Majidov, informed him that Sarapulov was not being held there.
On 10 March, Sharipov went back to the Yakasaray district IAD and asked the attendant to give him information concerning Sarapulov’s place of detention. He learned that his colleague was being detained by an employee of the Yakasaray district IAD named Rahmatullayev. The journalist’s date of detention was logged in the IAD journal as 7 March. The reason for his detention was explained by one word, “bomj” (“homeless”).
The militia employees informed Sharipov that Sarapulov had probably been sent to the office of the special receiver for the homeless. Sharipov then visited that office, where he learned that the Yakasaray district IAD had actually sent Sarapulov there. Aleksandr Kim, director of the office of the special receiver for the homeless, refused to show documents or otherwise cooperate with Sharipov, saying that all claims and queries should be addressed to the Yakasaray district IAD, who were responsible for the independent journalist’s detention.
It is possible that Sarapulov will be tortured in detention, as torture is widely used in Uzbeki detention centres.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– urging him to take the necessary steps to ensure that Sarapulov is released from detention
– inviting him to take measures to allow Uzbeki journalists to carry out their professional duties free of harassment
– urging him to respect all international treaties to which Uzbekistan is a signatory
– asking that he guarantee press freedom and freedom of expression in his country
Appeals To
President Islam Karimov
Office of the President
1 Akhunbabayev St., Tashkent
Fax: +998 71 1395325
E-mail: presidents_office@press-service.uzPlease copy appeals to the source if possible.
