UZBEK “EXTREMISTS” ON TRIAL.

According to Uzbek authorities, four “religious extremists” have pleaded guilty during a closed-door trial in Namangan. They are charged with conspiring to overthrow the government, propagating ideas of an “Islamic state,” and undergoing guerrilla training in a camp in a “neighboring country.” The court will shortly begin public hearings on this and other cases connected with activities of “extremist religious groups.” (Pravda Vostoka, May 7)

Namangan, located in eastern Uzbekistan in the Ferghana Valley, is a scene of Muslim religious activity which the government misleadingly portrays as “Wahhabi.” The authorities cracked down in Namangan last December, but eventually yielded to international appeals and released most of those detained. It is not clear when the current defendants were arrested or when the purported activities took place.–VS

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