Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Tajik Government Concerned By Increasing Growth Of Salafism

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 11:33:13 +0000

Government officials and religious scholars are expressing concern about the growing influence of a hard-line form of Islam in Tajikistan. While a more liberal Muslim creed has been followed for centuries, the number of adherents of Salafism -- a form of Islam similar to that practiced during the life of the Prophet Muhammad -- is on the rise.

Family Says Jailed Uzbek Opposition Leader's Life At Risk

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:12:00 +0000

Sanjar Umarov's family says the jailed leader of the Sunshine Uzbekistan opposition group is in poor health and his life is in danger, with family members saying they saw signs of torture while visiting him last week.

Editor Of Independent Kyrgyz Newspaper Threatened With Closure Speaks Out

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:12:16 +0000

While life is never easy for independent media in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan's leading independent newspaper now faces closure after it published a report accusing local authorities of corruption. But the paper's troubles first began after critical reporting on President Kurmanbek Bakiev's nephew.

Three Years On, Kyrgyz President Taken To Task For Rampant Nepotism

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:22:57 +0000

Critics say Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev has become as corrupt as his predecessor, ridding himself of his co-revolutionaries and installing members of his extended family and clan in their place.

Freed Turkmen Teacher Vows To Keep Working For RFE/RL

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:57:51 +0000

Sazak Durdymuradov, a frequent unpaid contributor to RFE/RL’s Turkmen Service, has said he intends to keep working for RFE/RL, despite enduring two harrowing weeks in detention because of his work.

Central Asian Migrant Laborers Trapped In Modern-Day Slavery

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:39:29 +0000

The faces of the new slave trade are Central Asian -- Uzbek, Tajik, and Kyrgyz. But unlike in the past, when Central Asians would emigrate to the West or the Middle East, their new "masters" are former compatriots in former Soviet countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan.

Nazarbaev Celebrates 'Day Of Astana,' But Critics Scoff At Grandiose Festivities

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:46:07 +0000

Kazakhstan is marking the 10th anniversary of its capital, Astana, but the festivities are seen as nothing more than an elaborate birthday party for President Nursultan Nazarbaev.

Turkmenistan's Remote Desert 'Gulag'

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:05:22 +0000

Gurbandurdy Durdykuliev, a Turkmen political dissident, spent 26 months in the Boinuzin psychiatric clinic -- the Turkmen Gulag -- before his release in 2006. He recalls the ordeal as a living hell. "The hospital is a closed one. The chief doctor behaves like it is his personal property," he says. "Food is very bad. Bed sheets are extremely old. Beds are very old Soviet ones brought from children's summer camps long ago -- many of them were welded by inmates themselves or have ...

RFE/RL Contributor Being Held At Infamous Turkmen Psychiatric Hospital

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:01:52 +0000

RFE/RL has learned that Sazak Durdymuradov, a contributor to its Turkmen Service, is being held at an infamous psychiatric clinic in eastern Turkmenistan, one week after his arrest and reported beating by police. It remains unclear why officials have targeted Durdymuradov, a history teacher who is well respected in his local community and known for his moderate views. Durdymuradov's relatives tell RFE/RL’s Turkmen Service that he is now confined to a mental hospital in eastern Lebap Province, ...

Activists, Journalists Harassed Ahead Of EU-Turkmen Meeting

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:30:05 +0000

Ahead of an EU-Turkmen meeting on human rights in Ashgabat, civic activists and independent journalists in the country have been reporting widespread harassment, intimidation, and even the detention of government opponents. On June 23, a day before the first full Human Rights Dialogue between the EU and Turkmenistan, Amnesty International issued a report stating that Turkmens are subject to "widespread and systematic" violations of human rights. Titled "Turkmenistan: No ...

Turkmen Border Residents Forcibly Relocated To New District

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:28:28 +0000

Hundreds of families in Turkmenistan have reportedly been forced to leave their homes near the Turkmen-Uzbek border and relocate to other parts of the country.

Central Asia: Slain Journalist's Father Accuses Uzbek President Of Murder

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:02:22 +0000

The father of slain journalist Alisher Saipov is accusing Uzbek President Islam Karimov of complicity in his son's murder. Avas Saipov insisted to RFE/RL in an interview that Karimov ordered and financed the killing of his son, with the assistance of Kyrgyz intelligence officials. He said Karimov must be held personally responsible for the 2007 shooting, which took place in broad daylight in downtown Osh, in southern Kyrgyzstan. He alleged that the murderers received help from ...