KHUJAND, October 13, 2011, Asia-Plus — A trial verdict for BBC reporter Urunboy Usmonov is expected to be declared tomorrow.
A court hearing over the case of Urunboy Usmonov and four suspected Hizb ut-Tahrir members was continued in the Sughd regional court today. Last statements were given to the defendants.
Urunboy Usmonov said in his final statement that he is not guilty and asked the court to discharge him.
The deputy Sughd prosecutor, Foziljon Okhounov, noted today that if the damning verdict is passed against Usmonov, he will be released under amnesty and the remaining defendants will have their jail terms cut by two years.
Mr. Justice Shodikhon Nazarov, who is presiding over the trial, noted that the verdict would be declared o October 14 at 3:00 pm.
The Sughd regional court opened the trial against Urunboy Usmonov and four suspected Hizb-ut-Tahrir members at investigation isolation prison No. 2 (SIZO) in Khujand on August 16, 2011.
Urunboy Usmonov accused of associating with banned Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir has denied the charges, saying any meetings he had with Hizb ut-Tahrir members were for purely journalistic purposes. The reporter said he had interviewed some members of the banned group as part of his work reporting on the region, where Hizb ut-Tahrir is active.
Usmonov”s arrest on June 13 was condemned by international media and rights advocates as a censorship attempt. The reporter”s relatives said he was beaten while in custody. Usmonov was released on bail a month after his arrest pending the trial.
On September 21, a prosecutor in the trial of Usmonov asked the Sughd regional court on September 21 to find Usmonov guilty of complicity under Article 36 (5) and organization of activity of extremist group under Article 307 (2) and sentence him to five years in prison with subsequent amnesty.
Four suspected Hizb-ut-Tahrir members — Abdunabi Abduqodirov, Ibrohimbek Mahmoudov, Talat Mavlonov and Yahyokhon Rahmonkhojayev – are in the dock along with Urunboy Usmonov. Urunboy Usmonov’s co-defendants are accused of crimes including setting up a criminal organization and incitement to national, racial or religious hatred and the prosecutor asked for prison sentences between 23 and 25 years for them.
