UZBEKISTAN: RESPONSE TO ATTACK ON BROTHER-IN-LAW OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000003 SENSITIVE SIPDIS AMEMBASSY ASTANA PASS TO AMCONSUL ALMATY E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/01/06 TAGS: PHUM PGOV UZ SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: RESPONSE TO ATTACK ON BROTHER-IN-LAW OF BIRDAMLIK LEADER CLASSIFIED BY: Robert McCutcheon, Econ Officer, State, Pol/Econ Office; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (C) According to Internet reports, the brother-in-law of opposition Birdamlik movement leader Bahodir Choriev was severely beaten in an incident that took place between Christmas and New Years. Post has confirmed these reports in conversations with Choriev's father and sister. In response, the Ambassador has sent the following letter to FM Norov. BEGIN TEXT OF LETTER January 6, 2010 Dear Mr. Minister: In the spirit of frank exchange on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect demonstrated during our bilateral consultations in Washington last month, I wanted to raise with you a matter that has generated some concern. We understand that Mr. Nurmuhammad Nurkhonov, the brother-in-law of American green card holder Bahodir Choriev, was attacked near Shahrisabz around New Year's Eve. He was beaten and cut with a knife by unidentified attackers. We also understand that local police have yet to open an investigation, and that the hospital where Nurmuhammad Nurkhonov was treated for his wounds refused to provide him with a copy of the medical report on his case. There is speculation that this attack may have been provoked by the Choriev family's involvement in unauthorized "Birdamlik" political activities in advance of the December 27 parliamentary elections. It is our assumption that a matter of this gravity is being investigated by the appropriate Uzbek law enforcement agencies. Any information you could provide regarding the Uzbek government's view of these reports would be extremely helpful in keeping Washington up-to-date on the actual state of play in this matter. Again, I appreciate the opportunity to raise this issue with you in confidence, and look forward to further deepening of the U.S.-Uzbek dialogue across the full range of issues in the days ahead. Sincerely, Richard B. Norland His Excellency Mr. Vladimir Norov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. END TEXT OF LETTER NORLAND