On 2 October 2009, in Tashkent, human rights defender, Mr Farhad
Muhtarov, was sentenced to five years in prison on fraud charges. He
had pleaded not guilty to charges of fraudulently borrowing sums of
money. Farhad Muhtarov is an activist with the grassroots movement
Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan, which works on a variety of human
rights issues including torture, access to justice, right to a fair
trial, economic and social rights, and the rights of vulnerable groups.
Farhad Muhtarov was arrested on 17 July 2009 at the Yunusabad police
department in Tashkent where he went to complain about unlawful actions
of police officers. His arrest was said to follow suits filed with the
police by three individuals – Shoira Sadybekova, Masuda Karimova and
Anvar Eshanov – claiming that Farhad Muhtarov had borrowed large sums
of money from them. However, Masuda Karimova and Anvar Eshanov later
withdrew their cases, stating that they had been forced to file the
claims under pressure from the police. The police opened a criminal
investigation and pressed charges of fraud based on the third claim by
Shoira Sadybekova, although it reportedly lacked corroboration by
witnesses or by any written evidence signed by Farhad Muhtarov.
Before the district court case began, Farhad Muhtarov's wife, Surayo
Muhtarova, handed over 5 million sums (approx. $2,630) which he had
allegedly owed to Shoira Sadybekova, according to the criminal charges.
However this money was immediately seized by Justice Rohata Bakiyeva in
the state's favour. During the hearing, the Prosecutor sought a
nine-year prison term, but this was lowered to five years in a
general-security prison after Farhad Muhtarov requested the judge to
take into account his wife's deteriorating health and his dependent
children when sentencing.

Colleagues of Farhad Muhtarov believe he may have handed over the
money in order to construe an admission of guilt in the hope of having
his sentence lowered. In addition, sources believe that Farhad Muhtarov
may have been tortured or ill-treated in prison, but decided not to
testify about his treatment in exchange for a more lenient prison
sentence. According to the Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan, the
defendant and his lawyers intend to appeal against the court ruling.
Front Line believes that the conviction and sentencing of Farhad
Muhtarov is directly related to his work in the defence of human
rights, particularly with the Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan.
Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of
Farhad Muhtarov.
Front Line urges you to call on the Uzbek authorities to:
1.Immediately and unconditionally release Farhad Muhtarov, as Front
Line believe he is being held solely as a result of his legitimate and
peaceful work in the defence of human rights;
2.Ensure that the treatment of Farhad Muhtarov while in detention is
consistent with international standards and that his physical and
psychological security and integrity is guaranteed;
3.Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in
Uzbekistan are able to carry out their legitimate human rights
activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions
including judicial harassment.
* five years' imprisonment
* fraud
* ill-treatment
* sentencing
* Uzbekistan