Ganihon Mamathanov released from detention
On 16 October 2017, Ganihon Mamathanov was released from Zhaslyk Prison Colony in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. He was arrested in October 2009 on trumped-up charges of fraud and bribery and on 25 November 2009 he was sentenced to 5 years and 2 months in prison. Shortly before his detention, Ganihon Mamathanov had sent an open letter addressed to the President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, in which he criticised a governmental decree promoting the enlargement of private farms.
Ganihon Mamathanov is a human rights defender advocating against the use of child labour and violations of farmers' rights in Fergana, Uzbekistan. He has collaborated with the Radio Liberty Uzbek Service in reporting on human rights violations in Uzbekistan.
On 16 October 2017, Ganihon Mamathanov was released from Zhaslyk Prison Colony in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. He was arrested in October 2009 on trumped-up charges of fraud and bribery and on 25 November 2009 he was sentenced to 5 years and 2 months in prison. Shortly before his detention, Ganihon Mamathanov had sent an open letter addressed to the President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, in which he criticised a governmental decree promoting the enlargement of private farms.
Under the charges levelled against Ganihon Mamathanov in 2009, his release date was due to be on 10 March 2014. His detention, however, was extended twice for alleged disobedience of prison authorities (Article 221 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan). On 15 May 2014 his detention was extended by two and a half years and on 30 May 2016 it was extended by another three years. His release comes one and a half years earlier than his final forecasted release date.
The Uzbek authorities often use Article 221 ("Disobedience to the lawful requirements of the administration of the institution for the execution of punishment") of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan in order to extend the term of imprisonment of human rights defenders, as in the case of Azam Farmonov who was recently released on 3 October 2017.
Front Line Defenders welcomes the release of Ganihon Mamathanov, but deeply regrets the fact that he has spent eight years in jail as a result of his peaceful and legitimate work in defence of the rights of local farmers and his fight against the forced labour of children in the Ferghana Valley.
