(GDF/IFEX) – On 3 August 1998, the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan confirmed the eleven-year prison sentence handed down against Samarkind regional radio journalist Shadi Mardiev. His lawyer, Khakimzhon Bobanarov, had appealed to the court’s plenary session. **Updates IFEX alerts dated 17 July and 29 June 1998** Background Information On 8 June, Mardiev was sentenced to […]
(GDF/IFEX) – On 3 August 1998, the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan confirmed the
eleven-year prison sentence handed down against Samarkind regional radio
journalist Shadi Mardiev. His lawyer, Khakimzhon Bobanarov, had appealed to
the court’s plenary session.
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 17 July and 29 June 1998**
Background Information
On 8 June, Mardiev was sentenced to eleven years in prison by the Syrdarya
regional court for defamation and extortion. Businessman Akbar Ulugov had
appealed to Samarkind deputy prosecutor Talat Abdulkhalikzade, complaining
of a satirical program concerning Ulugov broadcast by Mardiev on Samarkind
regional radio in November 1997. Abdulkhalikzade later brought forward the
charges of defamation and extortion (see IFEX alerts).
