Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TASHKENT439
2006-03-03 13:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY NAMANGAN
how-toVZCZCXRO8569 PP RUEHDBU DE RUEHNT #0439 0621311 ZNY CCCCC ZZH ZDK P 031311Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5276 INFO RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ALMATY PRIORITY 7677 RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 1783 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY 2307 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY 2200 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 6568 RUEHPG/AMEMBASSY PRAGUE PRIORITY 0112 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 1681
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000439
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL UZ
SUBJECT: RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY NAMANGAN
CORRESPONDENT RELEASED
REF: A) 05 TASHKENT 2318 B) 05 TASHKENT 3305 C) 05
TASHKENT 3054
Classified By: AMB. JON R. PURNELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000439
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL UZ
SUBJECT: RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY NAMANGAN
CORRESPONDENT RELEASED
REF: A) 05 TASHKENT 2318 B) 05 TASHKENT 3305 C) 05
TASHKENT 3054
Classified By: AMB. JON R. PURNELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D)
1. (C) Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Namangan
correspondent Nosir Zokir was released from prison on
February 26 after serving a six-month sentence at a Namangan
detention facility. Zokir was convicted in August 2005 for
insulting a member of the National Security Service (Ref A).
Zokir thanked poloff for U.S. efforts to obtain his release.
He added that he was not beaten or otherwise physically
ill-treated while in confinement. (Note: Zokir is still in
Namangan and we have so far only spoken to him on the
telephone. End note.)
2. (C) With the closure of RFE/RL's Tashkent office in
December (Ref B),Zokir is now without a job. He told poloff
that he hopes to continue cooperating with his former
employer as well as with other radio outlets. (Note: It is
unclear if the GOU is still considering additional criminal
charges against Zokir for allegedly insulting the president
-- Ref C. End note.)
3. (C) Comment: Zokir's imprisonment was one of the most
egregious violations of media freedom following the May 2005
Andijon violence. While his release is good news, we remain
concerned that the GOU could wield the threat of invoking
additional charges against him should he ever make statements
or engage in activities of which it disapproves.
PURNELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL UZ
SUBJECT: RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY NAMANGAN
CORRESPONDENT RELEASED
REF: A) 05 TASHKENT 2318 B) 05 TASHKENT 3305 C) 05
TASHKENT 3054
Classified By: AMB. JON R. PURNELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D)
1. (C) Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Namangan
correspondent Nosir Zokir was released from prison on
February 26 after serving a six-month sentence at a Namangan
detention facility. Zokir was convicted in August 2005 for
insulting a member of the National Security Service (Ref A).
Zokir thanked poloff for U.S. efforts to obtain his release.
He added that he was not beaten or otherwise physically
ill-treated while in confinement. (Note: Zokir is still in
Namangan and we have so far only spoken to him on the
telephone. End note.)
2. (C) With the closure of RFE/RL's Tashkent office in
December (Ref B),Zokir is now without a job. He told poloff
that he hopes to continue cooperating with his former
employer as well as with other radio outlets. (Note: It is
unclear if the GOU is still considering additional criminal
charges against Zokir for allegedly insulting the president
-- Ref C. End note.)
3. (C) Comment: Zokir's imprisonment was one of the most
egregious violations of media freedom following the May 2005
Andijon violence. While his release is good news, we remain
concerned that the GOU could wield the threat of invoking
additional charges against him should he ever make statements
or engage in activities of which it disapproves.
PURNELL