Uzbek journalist's trial adjourned to unspecified date
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 19 April 2007 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Uzbek journalist's trial adjourned to unspecified date, 19 April 2007, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/469f5cae21.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Umida Niyazova (undated) (Courtesy Photo)
April 19, 2007 (RFE/RL) – The trial of Uzbek independent journalist Umida Niyazova started in Tashkent today, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reported.
Niyazova's aunt Shafoat told RFE/RL that the trial was quickly adjourned to an unspecified date.
"A lot of people were there outside the court building before 11 a.m. [when the trial was scheduled to start]," she said. "At 11:30 a lawyer came out and said the court had adjourned because they couldn't read all the tomes. Then they took Umida back. They [police and Umida] arrived at 10:30 and they left at 11:30 in an armored vehicle. You couldn't see into it [the vehicle]."
Rights groups say Niyazova has been indicted on politically motivated charges of illegal border crossing, smuggling, and distributing material that could cause public disorder by using financial support from foreign governments. She faces up to 10 years of in prison.
In a statement issued late on April 18, Freedom House – an organization promoting democracy and freedom around the world – called on the Uzbek government to adhere to the rule of law during the trial.
Niyazova was detained crossing into Uzbekistan from Kyrgyzstan in December last year. She was interviewing family members of victims of the violence in the eastern city of Andijon in May 2005 that left at least 189 people dead.