Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Uzbekistan

Uzbek Authorities Arrest Leader Of Christian Organization

February 13, 2007 -- The leader of a Christian organization has been arrested in eastern Uzbekistan, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reported.

TEXT SIZE - +

February 13, 2007

Interfax quotes the committee for religious affairs as saying Dmitry Shestakov headed an illegal religious organization -- the Charismatic Pentecostals -- operating in Andijon.

But, according to Forum 18 News Service, he is a pastor of a registered Full Gospel congregation.

It says Shestakov was arrested on January 21 and faces up to 20 years jail if found guilty of stirring up interfaith hatred and leading an illegal religious group.

(with material from Interfax, forum18.org)

Religion And Tolerance

A thematic webpage devoted to issues of religious tolerance in RFE/RL's broadcast region and around the globe.

Production and distribution of rap music is not officially banned, but it

Yo! Turkmen Rappers Flip The Script On Repression

For a growing number of Turkmen youth, rap music has become a way to express their daily struggles and inspire political change in one of the world's most oppressive countries. More

A woman relaxes underneath a photo of President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov at the resort of Avaza.

Turkmenistan's Personality Cult 2.0

Turkmen Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov appears to be building a personality cult to match that of his eccentric predecessor. More

Myalikguly Berdymukhammedov, the father of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, in a September 2009 television appearance

Keeping Up With The Berdymukhammedovs

Reports say a police unit in Turkmenistan this week was named after the father of President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov. State-run media reportedly describe it as a gesture to honor Myalikguly Berdymukhammedov's years of service to Turkmenistan's Interior Ministry and "his efforts in educating the younger generation." More