Uzbekistan: Rights Group Calls for Activist's Release

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling for the immediate release of an Uzbek activist whose arrest was characterized by the watchdog organization as a "politically motivated" act.

Ganikhon Mamatkhanov, a member of the Uzbek section of the International Human Rights Organization, was arrested on October 9 on charges of fraud and bribery. According to a HRW statement issued November 16, roughly $330 was planted in his bag following a scuffle with a stranger in Ferghana City. Police officers immediately arrested Mamatkhanov. Subsequent to his detention, several individuals stepped forward to accuse Mamatkhanov of attempted extortion in connection with efforts to retain ownership of their farms.

"Activists who fight for farmers' rights are a growing target of government persecution. The arrest of Mamatkhanov was clearly a set-up, and he should be freed immediately," the HRW statement quoted Holly Cartner, the group's Europe and Central Asia director, as saying.

"The human rights situation is clearly not going to improve as long as the Uzbek authorities continue to put human rights defenders and activists behind bars," Cartner added.