Government intensified crackdown on opposition activists and international organisations, sentencing dissidents to long prison terms and expelling UNHCR and U.S. NGO Freedom House. Opposition Sunshine Coalition leaders Nigora Khidoyatova and Sanjar Umarov given 10- and 11-year sentences for economic crimes which supporters say politically motivated; rights activist Mutabar Tojiboeva received 8-year sentence. Government published new restrictions on foreign journalists’ activities, as President Islam Karimov said nation under attack from West in “information war”.

Trials of opposition Sunshine Coalition leaders Nigora Khidoyatova and Sanjar Umarov continued with activists reportedly unable to access “open trials”: Khidoyatova sentenced to 10 years prison 1 March. 10 Uzbeks seeking refuge in Ukraine after May 2005 Andijon massacre deported back, while Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Court rejected asylum of 2 others, now likely to be deported despite UNHCR appeal. Rights activist who reported on Andijon sentenced to 7 years.

Activist arrested after speaking out against May 2005 Andijon massacre reportedly tried and sentenced in secret. Trials of opposition leaders Sanjar Umarov and Nodira Hidoyatova on charges of financial misdeeds began. Court suspended U.S. NGO Freedom House for 6 months for providing free internet access to human rights advocates.

Series of trials held in connection with May Andijon violence: 100 sentenced to 10-22-year prison terms. Supreme Court tried 36 members of security forces on charges of “neglect”, but most sentenced to maximum 3 years. Andijon survivors filed case against Internal Affairs Minister Almatov for crimes against humanity in Germany, where he received medical treatment before returning to Uzbekistan and resigning. Former deputy head of security service Anvar Solihboev to replace Almatov. Uzbekistan said German troops could continue to use Termez airbase. Security forces arrested Nodira Khidayatova, senior Sunshine Coalition member and outspoken opponent of President Karimov on charges of embezzlement, tax evasion and money laundering.

Supreme Court completed show trial of 15 suspects accused of instigating May Andijon violence, convicting all 15 and handing down sentences of 14 to 20 years in prison. New trials begun in near-secrecy for others linked to May events. EU imposed arms embargo and visa bans on 12 top Uzbek officials linked to Andijon events, including Interior Minister Almatov. Despite ban, Germany admitted Almatov for medical treatment on “humanitarian grounds”. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan banned European NATO members from using its airspace to support Afghanistan peacekeeping operations. In Moscow, Presidents Karimov and Putin signed unprecedented mutual defence treaty, giving Russia broad latitude to intervene against “threats to peace”.

Uzbek authorities denied torturing confessions from 15 accused of instigating Andijon events. During trial lone witness testified soldiers shot unarmed demonstrators. EU imposed sanctions over lack of independent inquiry. Government’s widespread repression of dissent continued with arrests of opposition leader Sanjar Umarov and rights activist Mu’tabar Tojibaeva. BBC closed Tashkent office after receiving threats. U.S. Sec. State Rice bypassed Uzbekistan during Central Asia tour.

Government account of May Andijon events claimed Islamist infiltration from bases in Kyrgyz territory, with intention to take control of Ferghana valley; disputed by rights groups and Kyrgyz authorities. Trial of 15 accused of instigating Andijon events - including 3 Kyrgyz citizens - began 20 September. EU set to agree 3 October arms embargo and visa restrictions on individuals it holds responsible for Andijon events. UNHCR airlifted 11 Uzbek refugees in Kyrgyz detention to Europe; 4 remain. 6 U.S. senators wrote to Sec. Defense Rumsfeld asking him to withhold $22m payments for use of Karshi-Khanabad airbase, until Uzbek cooperation with U.S. renewed. Uzbekistan ran joint anti-terrorist exercises with Russian forces. Tashkent court ordered shutdown of U.S.-run NGO Internews.

Government deported Igor Rotar, Russian journalist for Forum 18 rights organisation, amid continuing crackdown on independent media. Human rights activist Yelena Urlayeva arrested at month-end. Demonstration in Samarkand against house demolitions first since May Andijon events. Government accused UNHCR of protecting criminals following airlift of Uzbek refugees from Kyrgyzstan to Romania; estimated 1,000 unofficial Uzbek refugees remain in Kyrgyzstan. Uzbek senate officially passed measure calling for U.S. to close Karshi-Khanabad airbase.

Tashkent responded to international calls for independent inquiry into Andijon events and U.S. conditioning of assistance by telling U.S. to shut Karshi- Khanabad airbase within 180 days; Under-Sec. State Nicholas Burns cancelled trip to region. Russia and China continued to court Uzbek President Karimov. Some 450 refugees from Andijon events airlifted by UNHCR from Kyrgyzstan to Romania, pending transfer to third countries. UN report said “grave human rights abuses” committed by Uzbek security forces during Andijon events.

Government continued to reject international calls for inquiry into Andijon events: meeting in Moscow 28 June, Uzbek President Islam Karimov and Russian President Vladimir Putin declared violence had been planned from abroad. EU threatened sanctions if Tashkent did not reverse position on investigation by end June. U.S. revealed Uzbekistan restricting operations of its Karshi-Khanabad airbase; Tashkent said restrictions unrelated to U.S. criticism over Andijon.