From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Mon Nov 20 2000 - 11:12:02 EST
UZBEK COURT SENTENCES TWO TO DEATH FOR 'TERRORISM.'
The Uzbek Supreme Court on 17 November sentenced two men--Islamic
Movement of Uzbekistan leader Takhir Yuldashev and field
commander Dzhuma Namagani--in absentia to death and 10 others
to various terms of imprisonment for their role in the
February 2000 bombings in Tashkent, Uzbek television
reported. Also tried and sentenced in absentia was Muhammad
Salih, the leader of the Erk Party, who now is in exile.
Uzbek officials portrayed the sentences as lenient, noting
that prosecutors had asked for stiffer punishments, but New
York-based Human Rights Watch said the trials violated
international law and called into question Tashkent's promise
to move toward eliminating the death penalty. PG
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