Uzbekistan Warns Journalists Over Andijon Trial
October 11, 2005
Accused at the Andijon trial on 20 September
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11 October 2005 -- Uzbekistan's Interior Ministry warned journalists today about their coverage of the trial of 15 alleged Islamist extremists accused over an uprising in the eastern province of Andijon.
In a statement, the ministry denounced a report that the defendants had been tortured prior to the Supreme Court trial that began on 20 September, when the men all pleaded guilty to leading an armed insurgency.
It said that the Interior Ministry is calling on journalists to strictly abide by journalistic ethics and principles and to wait until the decision of the court.
Uzbek authorities have said that 187 people died in the 12-13 May violence in Andijon, all due to the actions of Islamist insurgents who took over the city, and have rejected calls for an international investigation into the violence.
Human rights groups and witnesses have said that state forces opened fire and killed hundreds of unarmed civilians who took the chance to come out for an antigovernment demonstration.
(AFP)
See also:
Andijon timeline
For RFE/RL's complete coverage, see: "Aftermath of Andijon"