Please write a polite letter on your personal or
institutional letterhead requesting that Muhammad Bekjanov be
released--or copy the one below--and mail to President Islam
Abduganievch Karimov (postage 90¢) and Ambassador Shavkat Khamrakulov
(postage 41¢).
[Date]
His Excellency Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov
Prezidentu Respubliki Uzbekistan
700163 g. Tashkent
ul. Uzbekistanskaya, 43
Rezidentsia prezidenta
Uzbekistan
Your Excellency,
I
am writing to express my serious concern over the continued
imprisonment of the journalist Muhammad Bekjanov. I understand that Mr.
Bekjanov was convicted in 1999 under dubious circumstances, including
allegations by the defendant and lead witnesses of coerced testimony
and torture. I fear that Mr. Bekjanov's trial was unfair and that he is
being held merely for exercising his right to free expression. I am
especially worried for his safety in prison, where he has sustained
numerous injuries and has contracted tuberculosis. I therefore urge the
Uzbek authorities to release Muhammad Bekjanov immediately pending an
independent review into his trial and the sentences upheld against him.
Sincerely,
[Your name and signature]
Cc:
H.E. Shavkat S. Khamrakulov
Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary
1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
Fax (202) 293-6804
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