Uzbekistan protesters under fire after prison break
{{date|May 13, 2005}}
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[[Image:Uzbekistan flag 300.png|225px|right|]]

Protesters in the city of [[w:Andijan|Andijan]], [[w:Uzbekistan|Uzbekistan]] have been fired on by government troops after taking over the Mayor's office and releasing some 2,000 prisoners overnight. ''[[w:VOA|Voice of America]]'' news is reporting nine dead, and 34 injured, while ten police officers are being held as hostages.

Uzbekistan president [[w:Islam Karimov|Islam Karimov]] arrived in Andijan this morning to oversee operations, and is expected to make an announcement on national television. Security forces are being deployed, and sporadic automatic gunfire was reported in the city.

President Islam Karimov claimed Saturday that authorities tried to negotiate a peaceful end to protests, but that troops were forced to open fire when insurgents seized the government building and attempted to break through an advancing line of Uzbek police and soldiers. 

Thousands are said to have taken to the streets of the city to protest the unfair trial of [[w:Muslim|Muslim]] activists and draw attention to human rights abuses. A trial of 23 local businessmen on charges of religious extremism triggered the protests. [[w:Amnesty International|Amnesty International]] reports that the government uses the law to crack down on activists.

The [[w:Ferghana Valley|Ferghana Valley]] region of the Andijon province is viewed as restive under the rule of Islam Karimov.  [[w:Russia|Russian]] officials have stated concern that the protests and unrest may spread in the country. Neighbouring states [[w:Tajikistan|Tajikistan]] and [[w:Kyrgyzstan|Kyrgyzstan]] have closed their borders with Uzbekistan.

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== Sources ==
* {{source|title=Uprising in Eastern Uzbekistan Leaves 9 Dead
|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-05-13-voa16.cfm
|author=Lisa McAdams
|pub=Voice of America
|date=13 May 2005}}
*{{source|title=Gov't Forces Regain Control in Uzbekistan
|url=http://www.zaman.com/?bl=hotnews&alt=&trh=20050513&hn=19487
|author=aa
|pub=Zaman Daily
|date=19:39 (Istanbul) May 13, 2004}}
*{{source|title=Violent Protests Grip Uzbekistan, 9 Killed
|url=http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2005-05/13/article02.shtml
|author=
|pub=IslamOnline
|date=May 13, 2005}}
*{{source|title=U.S. ally in Central Asia in throes of insurrection
|url=http://159.54.227.3/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050513/NEWS/505130306
|author=Associated Press
|pub=The Olympian
|date=Friday May 13, 2005}}
*{{source|title=Uzbek troops move to end protests
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4544599.stm
|author=
|pub=BBC
|date=Friday, 13 May, 2005, 16:27 GMT 17:27 UK}}

{{archive}}
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[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Uzbekistan]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Human rights]]
[[Category:Crime and law]]
[[Category:Right to a fair trial]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:Amnesty International]]

[[pl:Zamieszki w Uzbekistanie: 200 osób nie żyje]]
Protesters in the city of Andijan, Uzbekistan have been fired on by government troops after taking over the Mayor's office and releasing some 2,000 prisoners overnight. Voice of America news is reporting nine dead, and 34 injured, while ten police officers are being held as hostages.

Uzbekistan president Islam Karimov arrived in Andijan this morning to oversee operations, and is expected to make an announcement on national television. Security forces are being deployed, and sporadic automatic gunfire was reported in the city.

President Islam Karimov claimed Saturday that authorities tried to negotiate a peaceful end to protests, but that troops were forced to open fire when insurgents seized the government building and attempted to break through an advancing line of Uzbek police and soldiers. 

Thousands are said to have taken to the streets of the city to protest the unfair trial of Muslim activists and draw attention to human rights abuses. A trial of 23 local businessmen on charges of religious extremism triggered the protests. Amnesty International reports that the government uses the law to crack down on activists.

The Ferghana Valley region of the Andijon province is viewed as restive under the rule of Islam Karimov.  Russian officials have stated concern that the protests and unrest may spread in the country. Neighbouring states Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have closed their borders with Uzbekistan.

pl:Zamieszki w Uzbekistanie: 200 osób nie żyje
Asia Uzbekistan Politics and conflicts Human rights Crime and law Right to a fair trial Religion Islam Amnesty International