DUSHANBE October 15, 2011, Asia-Plus – The Sughd regional court sentenced BBC reporter Urunboy Usmonov to three years in prison on October 14. The sentence followed his conviction on charge of failing to inform the authorities about his contacts wit the outlawed religious extremist Hizb ut-Tahrir group, but he set free under an amnesty law.
The journalist denies the charges and asked the court to acquit him. Urunboy Usmonov and his defense lawyer are going to appeal the verdict.
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 – were 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.
