More cracking down on democracy in Uzbekistan

JAMESTOWN ANALYST ARRESTED IN UZBEKISTAN
Igor Rotar, Contributor to ‘Eurasia Daily Monitor', Detained in Tashkent

08/11/2005, Washington DC -- The Jamestown Foundation deplores the arrest of journalist Igor Rotar, a regular contributor to the Eurasia Daily Monitor who has been affiliated with Jamestown since 1998.

"Igor Rotar is an independent journalist covering conflict and instability in Central Asia," said Jamestown President Glen E. Howard. "He poses no threat, and we urge the Uzbek government to release him immediately."

Rotar was detained by the Uzbek Immigration Service on Thursday, August 11th. He has reportedly been unable to communicate with anyone since his arrest.

As a Russian citizen traveling on a Russian passport, Rotar did not require a visa to enter Uzbekistan. Colleagues with Forum 18 and other organizations believe his detention fits a broader pattern of press intimidation by Uzbek officials.

Rotar's is a frequent contributor to Eurasia Daily Monitor, the Jamestown Foundation's flagship publication. "He is one of the premier experts on Islamic movements in Central Asia," said Howard.

In recent weeks Rotar's reporting in Eurasia Daily Monitor covered issues including security, terrorism and human rights in Central Asia. His last story ran on August 8th.

Founded in 1984, the Jamestown Foundation is an independent, non-partisan research institution dedicated to providing policymakers and the public with timely analysis concerning critical political and strategic developments in China, Eurasia and the Greater Middle East.

Good thing Karimov isn't our friend anymore. We'd have to be hypocritical to be friends with a dictator.