Salizhon Abdurakhmanov released from detention

On 4 October 2017, Salizhon Abdurakhmanov was released from Zhaslyk Prison Colony in Zhaslyk, Uzbekistan. He was released two and a half years ahead of schedule after having already served over nine years of his sentence.

Salizhon Abdurakhmanov is a journalist with Uznews.net, member of the Real Union of Journalists of Uzbekistan, and member of the Committee to Protect Individuals' Rights in Karakalpakstan. The human rights defender advocated for the rights of farmers and entrepreneurs, children’s rights and education, and raised questions regarding the ecology of the Aral Sea basin.

Salizhon Abdurakhmanov was arrested on 7 June 2008 in Nukus, Uzbekistan, on charges of illegally selling drugs which were allegedly found in his car. He rejected this accusation, stating that the drugs had been planted there. On 10 October 2008, Nukus City Criminal Court sentenced the human rights defender to 10 years in a general regime prison colony. Front Line Defenders considered that his detention was solely motivated by his peaceful and legitimate work in the defence of human rights.

Salizhon Abdurakhmanov's health condition dramatically deteriorated in detention. He had also been held in solitary confinement multiple times as punishment for his vocal position on his conditions of detention.

Front Line Defenders welcomes the release of Salizhon Abdurakhmanov, however, Front Line Defenders remains concerned about the situation of other imprisoned human rights defenders in Uzbekistan and calls for their release.