Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TASHKENT1036
2008-09-05 12:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
UPDATE ON STATUS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS MUTABAR
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C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001036
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM UZ
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON STATUS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS MUTABAR
TOJIBOYEVA AND AKZAM TURGUNOV
REF: A. TASHKENT 767
B. TASHKENT 994
Classified By: Political Officer Tim Buckley for reasons 1.4 (B,D)
Update on the Health of Mutabar Tojiboyeva
-------------------------------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001036
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM UZ
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON STATUS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS MUTABAR
TOJIBOYEVA AND AKZAM TURGUNOV
REF: A. TASHKENT 767
B. TASHKENT 994
Classified By: Political Officer Tim Buckley for reasons 1.4 (B,D)
Update on the Health of Mutabar Tojiboyeva
--------------
1. (C) Poloff spoke with German First Secretary Ewe Berndt on
September 3 about the health of human rights activist Mutabar
Tojiboyeva, who was released from prison in June (ref A).
Berndt confirmed that the German EMBASSY has provided
financial support to Tojiboyeva for a medical exam and
treatment in Uzbekistan. In addition, he said the German
Embassy is actively involved in trying to facilitate her
travel to Europe for medical care (related to cancer),
although he noted the difficulty in obtaining a necessary
exit visa from authorities to depart Uzbekistan. Berndt
said, if Tojiboyeva receives permission to travel abroad, it
is very important from the German Embassy's standpoint that
she return to Uzbekistan at the conclusion of her treatment.
He added that he is satisfied by her stated intent to return
to Uzbekistan to continue her work.
2. (C) Berndt noted that he met with Tojiboyeva two weeks ago
along with the German Deputy Chief of Mission. Both
diplomats found her to be in surprisingly good health, and
Berndt said "she did not seem seriously ill." The doctor who
examined her in Namangan at the expense of the German EMBASSY
concurred with this assessment in a phone conversation with
Berndt, although they have scheduled a face-to-face meeting
to discuss her condition in private.
Update on the Trial of Akzam Turgunov
--------------
3. (C) Poloff spoke with Dilorom Ishakova on September 4 for
an update on the court proceedings against Karakalpakstan
activist Akzam Turgunov (ref B). She attended the hearing in
Mangit Court earlier in the day, where there were far fewer
people in attendance than the initial session. She added
that Turgunov's health has visibly deteriorated just in the
two weeks since the last court appearance. Ishakova reported
that, in an encouraging development, a witness testified that
Turgunov did not accept the USD 375 proffered in local
currency in the tea house, which was the basis for the
extortion charge. This seems to be a bold hole poked in the
prosecution's case, yet Ishakova pessimistically noted that
even this may not affect the outcome of the trial. The next
hearing is scheduled for September 9 and, to save resources,
Ishakova will try to remain in Nukus to attend; she again
predicted the trial will drag on for many months. She said
that local authorities have not harassed her or obstructed
her access to the court proceedings.
Comment:
--------------
4. (C) It is good news that Tojiboyeva is receiving financial
assistance from the German EMBASSY and appears to be in
decent health while details of her overseas treatment are
worked out. The Germans are keen for her to return, and they
are probably in the best position of all the like-minded
Western Embassies to facilitate her exit permission and
travel. Meanwhile, we remain concerned about the flimsy
criminal case against Turgunov in Karakalpakstan, and reports
of his deteriorating condition suggests he is already doing
hard time while hoping for more favorable witness testimony.
NORLAND
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM UZ
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON STATUS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS MUTABAR
TOJIBOYEVA AND AKZAM TURGUNOV
REF: A. TASHKENT 767
B. TASHKENT 994
Classified By: Political Officer Tim Buckley for reasons 1.4 (B,D)
Update on the Health of Mutabar Tojiboyeva
--------------
1. (C) Poloff spoke with German First Secretary Ewe Berndt on
September 3 about the health of human rights activist Mutabar
Tojiboyeva, who was released from prison in June (ref A).
Berndt confirmed that the German EMBASSY has provided
financial support to Tojiboyeva for a medical exam and
treatment in Uzbekistan. In addition, he said the German
Embassy is actively involved in trying to facilitate her
travel to Europe for medical care (related to cancer),
although he noted the difficulty in obtaining a necessary
exit visa from authorities to depart Uzbekistan. Berndt
said, if Tojiboyeva receives permission to travel abroad, it
is very important from the German Embassy's standpoint that
she return to Uzbekistan at the conclusion of her treatment.
He added that he is satisfied by her stated intent to return
to Uzbekistan to continue her work.
2. (C) Berndt noted that he met with Tojiboyeva two weeks ago
along with the German Deputy Chief of Mission. Both
diplomats found her to be in surprisingly good health, and
Berndt said "she did not seem seriously ill." The doctor who
examined her in Namangan at the expense of the German EMBASSY
concurred with this assessment in a phone conversation with
Berndt, although they have scheduled a face-to-face meeting
to discuss her condition in private.
Update on the Trial of Akzam Turgunov
--------------
3. (C) Poloff spoke with Dilorom Ishakova on September 4 for
an update on the court proceedings against Karakalpakstan
activist Akzam Turgunov (ref B). She attended the hearing in
Mangit Court earlier in the day, where there were far fewer
people in attendance than the initial session. She added
that Turgunov's health has visibly deteriorated just in the
two weeks since the last court appearance. Ishakova reported
that, in an encouraging development, a witness testified that
Turgunov did not accept the USD 375 proffered in local
currency in the tea house, which was the basis for the
extortion charge. This seems to be a bold hole poked in the
prosecution's case, yet Ishakova pessimistically noted that
even this may not affect the outcome of the trial. The next
hearing is scheduled for September 9 and, to save resources,
Ishakova will try to remain in Nukus to attend; she again
predicted the trial will drag on for many months. She said
that local authorities have not harassed her or obstructed
her access to the court proceedings.
Comment:
--------------
4. (C) It is good news that Tojiboyeva is receiving financial
assistance from the German EMBASSY and appears to be in
decent health while details of her overseas treatment are
worked out. The Germans are keen for her to return, and they
are probably in the best position of all the like-minded
Western Embassies to facilitate her exit permission and
travel. Meanwhile, we remain concerned about the flimsy
criminal case against Turgunov in Karakalpakstan, and reports
of his deteriorating condition suggests he is already doing
hard time while hoping for more favorable witness testimony.
NORLAND