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