Uzbek opposition fears crackdown after rebellion

[allemand]

19 May 2005 16:01:14 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Maria Golovnina

TASHKENT, May 19 (Reuters) - Uzbekistan's fragile opposition fears the violent suppression of a rebellion in the east could lead to a wider state crackdown on dissent and throw more Muslims and human rights activists behind bars.

At least 10 protesters were detained during a small anti-government rally on Thursday in the capital Tashkent -- just days after the revolt in the town of Andizhan.

"The events in Andizhan have only fired up the state campaign against us," said Nigara Khidoyatova of the secular Free Farmers opposition party. "They want to shut us up."

Unrest in the Ferghana Valley, sparked by the trial of Muslim businessmen and blamed by hardline President Islam Karimov on Islamic extremists, has stirred up the country's sluggish and fragmented opposition movement.

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