Alleged Hizb ut-Tahrir Members Detained In Kyrgyzstan

JALAL-ABAD -- Three alleged members of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir party have been detained by Kyrgyz security forces in the southern city of Jalal-Abad, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

The three were arrested during a special operation by Kyrgyzstan's National Security Service (GSNB). A GSNB spokesman told RFE/RL that books, DVDs, and extremist leaflets were found in the apartment where the members had been living.

Hizb ut-Tahrir is an international Sunni political party that seeks to unite all Muslim countries into an Islamic caliphate. It says it uses peaceful means to pursue its goals but has been banned by many countries in which it operates, including Kyrgyzstan.

The United States does not consider it a terrorist organization.