Hundreds of Uzbeks fled to Kyrgyzstan after the Andijon crackdown in May (RFE/RL)
BISHKEK, March 2, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- A Kyrgyz court today denied refugee status to two Uzbek nationals who fled to Kyrgyzstan during a military crackdown in eastern Uzbekistan last year.
The court's decision can be appealed.
Today's decision resembles a ruling last month that denied asylum to two other Uzbeks who were seeking refuge in Kyrgyzstan.
The four are seeking asylum for fear of persecution by authorities in Uzbekistan. Uzbek authorities say they were involved in last year's Andijon unrest.
The four face extradition, but could possibly be sent to a third country.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had previously granted them refugee status, and rights groups fear the four could be tortured if returned to Uzbekistan.
(RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service)
Today's decision resembles a ruling last month that denied asylum to two other Uzbeks who were seeking refuge in Kyrgyzstan.
The four are seeking asylum for fear of persecution by authorities in Uzbekistan. Uzbek authorities say they were involved in last year's Andijon unrest.
The four face extradition, but could possibly be sent to a third country.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had previously granted them refugee status, and rights groups fear the four could be tortured if returned to Uzbekistan.
(RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service)
Aftermath Of Andijon
Aftermath Of Andijon
A dedicated webpage bringing together all of RFE/RL's coverage of the events in Andijon, Uzbekistan, in May 2005 and their continuing repercussions.