Uzbek TV Channels Controlled By Karimova Stop Broadcasting

Gulnara Karimova

TASHKENT -- Several television channels controlled by Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of Uzbek President Islam Karimov, have stopped broadcasting.

RFE/RL correspondents in Tashkent say the signals for the TV-Markaz, NTT, and SOFTS television channels abruptly stopped on the afternoon of October 21.

Another TV channel controlled by Karimova, Forum TV, was also reportedly inaccessible in some regions on the same day.

An official at TV-Markaz told RFE/RL that its broadcasts and those of its sister channel, SOFTS, had been suspended due to maintenance issues.

An official at Uzbekistan's Independent Association of Nongovernmental Electronic Media said she was unaware of the reasons behind any maintenance work but said broadcasting would resume later on October 22.

The affected television channels are known for promoting Karimova's ventures via a number of programs.