Rights defender shocked at appearance of jailed Uzbek politician
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 27 January 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Rights defender shocked at appearance of jailed Uzbek politician, 27 January 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5331449814.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 27, 2014
An Uzbek human rights defender who was allowed to visit an opposition politician imprisoned for more than 20 years says he was shocked at his physical deterioration.
Surat Ikramov told RFE/RL on January 26 that authorities allowed him to visit former lawmaker Murod Juraev over the weekend.
According to Ikramov, Juraev, who is 61, looked much older. He said Juraev had no teeth and that he looked like a broken man.
Juraev's wife, Kholbeka Juraeva, has been issuing warnings about her husband's health.
Juraev was arrested in 1994 on charges of attempting to overthrow the government.
He was sentenced to 12 years in jail in 1995.
Juraev's supporters say the case was politically motivated. Juraev's jail term has been prolonged several times for alleged violations of penitentiary regulations.
He is now expected to be released in 2016.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
