In Kyrgyzstan, injustice and torture in Askarov case

New York, June 12, 2012-Ajudicial process marred by torture, lack of evidence, and fabricated chargeshas led to a life sentence for an independent Kyrgyz journalist who has been targeted in reprisal for his coverage of official corruption, according to a report released today by the Committee to Protect Journalists.

"Azimjon Askarov was convicted on the thinnest of evidence, and the gross procedural violations in his case show he was targeted for exposing injustices committed by corrupt police and other officials," said Muzaffar Suleymanov, the author of the report. "It has been two years since violent ethnic conflict shook southern Kyrgyzstan and brought this grave injustice upon a trail-blazing reporter, and it is time for Kyrgyz authorities to release him without condition."

The CPJ report, based on interviews with Askarov, his lawyers, and witnesses, shows how no material evidence nor independent witnesses were presented in court to support the charges, which included complicity in the murder of a police officer, attempt to take hostage, possession of ammunition, and incitement to ethnic hatred. In a climate of intimidation against minority ethnic Uzbeks, would-be defense witnesses were too frightened to testify.

Police beat Askarov following his arrest, and denied him access to his lawyer. Prior to his arrest in June 2010, the journalist had documented ethnic violence between Kyrgyz and Uzbek residents of southern Kyrgyzstan that left hundreds dead and displaced more than 300,000 ethnic Uzbeks.

Askarov's lawyers and the Open Society Justice Initiative are preparing to file a complaint on his behalf to the United Nations Human Rights Committee regarding his torture and rights violations. "The U.N. Human Rights Committee should admit and review this case as a matter of priority," said Suleymanov. "Justice for Askarov could help revive the Uzbek-language media andset Kyrgyzstan on a path toward complying with international standards of press freedom and the rule of law."