Uzbekistan: Release of Mrs. Elena Urlaeva

Case UZB 290805.2 - Follow-up to Case UZB 290805 and Case UZB 290805.1

Release

Geneva, 16 March 2006

The International Secretariat of OMCT has received new information on the following situation in Uzbekistan.

New Information

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Legal Aid Society (LAS), a member of the OMCT network, that Mrs. Elena Urlaeva, arrested in Tashkent on 28 August 2005, was released. The exact date of the release is unknown. However, the International Secretariat of OMCT was informed that currently no charges are held against her.

Brief reminder of the situation

The International Secretariat of OMCT was informed by the Legal Aid Society (LAS), a member of the OMCT network, of the arrest and ill-treatment of Elena Urlaeva, member of the opposition party, “Ozod Dehkonlar”, in Tashkent on 28th August 2005, for disseminating leaflets containing cartoons of the state emblem of Uzbekistan.

According to the information received, Mrs. Urlaeva has undergone continuous interrogation and was not been given any food or water. She has also had no access to her lawyer. Reportedly she was forced to sign a document in which she admitted that she tried to overthrow the political system of Uzbekistan. Following her arrest, she was placed on compulsory psychiatric treatment according to a court decision.

Remarks

OMCT wishes to thank all of the individuals and organizations that have taking action as a response to the urgent appeal and have written to the Uzbek authorities on behalf of Mrs. Elena Urlaeva. No further action is currently required on your part concerning this case

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Geneva, 16 March 2006