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131-547: Protesters in Andijan Alleged supported by: [REDACTED] Hizb ut-Tahrir [REDACTED] Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Akromiya [REDACTED] Government of Uzbekistan No centralised leaders Islam Karimov Shavkat Mirziyoyev Kadyr Gulyamov Ismail Ergashev Rustam Inoyatov Zokir Almatov On 13 May 2005, protests erupted in Andijan , Uzbekistan . At one point, troops from

262-537: A "training session for a homeowner society", a violation of their charter. Other organizations that were ordered or pressured to leave Uzbekistan shortly after the Andijan massacre include Global Involvement through Education, Ecumenical Charity Service, Eurasia Foundation, Freedom House , the International Research & Exchanges Board , Counterpart International , Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty ,

393-420: A CT scan that revealed he had suffered a "massive subarachnoid hemorrhage" (stroke). He went into cardiac arrest but cardiac activity was restored after 20 minutes of resuscitation attempts. He was in an "atonic coma with inhibition of the functions of the brain stem" and put on a ventilator. His daughter Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva reported that he was in stable condition at an intensive care ward. According to

524-537: A correctional colony, setting some convicts free". Describing the rebels as "extremists", they claimed that nine people had been killed and 34 wounded during the clashes. The local radio station had reportedly been taken off air. Authorities also blocked foreign TV news channels, including CNN and the BBC News . According to Ikrom Yakubov, a major in Uzbekistan's secret service who defected to Britain in 2007,

655-524: A crackdown of displays of Islamic practice in public. The term " Wahhabis " became the umbrella term to refer to all strains of "extremist" Islam; it did not necessarily refer to the Islamic sect that originated in Saudi Arabia. Ordinary practicing Muslims have been targeted and jailed without trial, and frequent use of torture and occasional "disappearances" have been reported. In 2005 Karimov banned

786-654: A degree in mechanical engineering. He started his career as an engineer, eventually joining the Ministry of Water Resources of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic . In 1967, he earned a master's degree in economics from Tashkent State University of Economics . From 1966 to 1986, he worked his way up the ranks in the Uzbek State Planning Committee, from chief specialist, to department head, to Minister of Finance of

917-499: A ditch and lay there for a while. I saw at least five bloody corpses next to me. The rebels who are holding the provincial administration opened fire in response. They intend to stand to the end! When we got out of the ditch, we ran along the streets into the neighbourhood and now we're looking for a place where there's no shooting. But shots can be heard everywhere...". The Uzbek government disputes this and states that only " terrorists " were killed. Several foreign news sources estimated

1048-594: A full black mark, under the supervision of authorities, was necessary to count as a "no" vote. Karimov took fewer foreign visits, especially to the West, in comparison to his Kazakh counterpart. There were few foreign embassies in Tashkent as of 2016, with only 44 in all: 29 from countries not part of the former Soviet Union and seven from the West. Under the Karimov government, a heavy regulation policy of NGOs led to

1179-484: A group crossing the border into Kyrgyzstan. On 21 May police arrested him. According to The New York Times , "There were reports of skirmishes in or near Andijon and of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of refugees making their way to Kyrgyzstan. There were indications that the Uzbek government, which normally maintains strict order, did not have full control of a portion of the valley." Numerous journalists were forced to flee

1310-425: A hard authoritarian state. The state's primary legitimacy claims are anti-Islamism and ethnic identity. Karimov's primary authoritarian measures that were implemented following the brief period of "thaw" and political tolerance include the thwarting of alternative political leaders from coalition building. In 1992, he accomplished the hajj . In 1995, a few months before Karimov's term was due to expire, his term

1441-623: A letter on the opposition party website, Dunyo Uzbeklari (World of Uzbeks) to protest the use of students as unpaid labour to pick the nation's cotton harvest every year. In 2015, Karimov came under widespread criticism when he was elected to a fourth term in office from the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. According to detailed accounts, on 13 May 2005, some 400 of

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1572-582: A location in Central Asia. Rainfall is generally light and erratic, and summers are particularly dry. Fertile soils , abundance of heat and light , long frost-free period (about 210 days a year) favor the cultivation of heat-loving crops - cotton , mulberry , citrus and other subtropical crops in the vicinity of the city. Andijan is surrounded by the foothills of the Pamir and Tian Shan mountains, which in summer are covered with snowy peaks, and in

1703-451: A mass grave on the far end of the city on 27 May 2005. Gravediggers told Radio Free Europe that 74 bodies were buried in the grave, and that there were 37 more secret graves, each containing two bodies, in the area. Three trucks brought the first bodies on 13 May. On 28 May two people murdered Juraboy. Some families of the deceased found the graves of their relatives, dug up the bodies, and reburied them according to Islamic burial rites. There

1834-657: A mosque, a madrasa, and a minaret. In the mid-19th century, the city status was granted to settlements with a mosque in Uzbekistan . The construction of the Mosque Complex took place from 1883 to 1890 and it covers a total area of 1.5 hectares. Islam Karimov Leader of Uzbekistan Government Parliamentary election Family Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov ( Uzbek : Islom Abdugʻaniyevich Karimov / Ислом Абдуғаниевич Каримов ; Russian: Ислам Абдуганиевич Каримов ; 30 January 1938 – 2 September 2016)

1965-457: A number of NGOs focused on cultural and social aspects of life in Uzbekistan. However, his first daughter is seen as less than altruistic and allegations that her "organizations" are mere front organizations for her vast business holdings and image propping propaganda are well documented. It has been reported that since February 2014, Gulnara has been under house arrest. She has been under investigation on charges of corruption, but has said that

2096-791: A pittance either to him [Begaliyev] or his people, or face legal proceedings." Prior to the Andijan massacre the Samarkand clan maintained control over the Interior Ministry under the leadership of Zakir Almatov and the Tashkent clan controlled the National Security Service under the leadership of Rustam Innoyatov. Rustam Burnashev and Irina Chernykh of the Central Asia-Institute argue that rumors of Karimov's resignation due to ill-health prompted

2227-543: A population of 458,500. Representatives of many ethnic groups can be found in the city. Uzbeks are the largest ethnic group. Andijan has been an important craft and trade center in the Fergana Valley since the 15th century. After annexation by the Russians in 1876, the economy of the city started to grow significantly. Several industrial plants were built in Andijan after the city was connected with Russia with

2358-451: A positive, uplifting ideology to its readers. Criticism that passes the censors is limited to low and mid-level officers. Although the Karimov regime during the 1990s assumed a greater tolerance for foreign media, the state has heavily limited foreign publications during the past decade . There has been a considerable reduction of Russian-sponsored broadcasting, and Western media has diminished in publication as well. Banned publications under

2489-500: A pretext for maintaining a repressive state". A press release from the government stated that "As a result of the clashes, 9 people died and 34 were injured". The government-controlled media within the country broadcast only brief statements regarding the crisis. In its news bulletins, Uzbek State TV said "an armed group of criminals" had attacked the security forces in Andijan: "The bandits seized dozens of weapons and moved on to attack

2620-561: A public conversation, but until 2016, Karimov's health was never discussed by government officials and any information was closely guarded. There were rumors in March 2013 that he had suffered a heart attack, which were denied. At approximately 9 a.m. on 27 August 2016, an unconscious Karimov was taken to the Central Clinical Hospital, according to the official medical report by the government of Uzbekistan. He underwent

2751-498: A railway line in 1889. Several hospitals, pharmacies, banks, and printing houses were established in the city during that period. After Soviet rule was established in late December 1917, both light and heavy industries developed significantly. Andijan became the first city in Uzbekistan to be fully supplied with natural gas . Andijan remains an important industrial city in independent Uzbekistan. There are 48 large industrial plants and about 3,000 small and medium enterprises in

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2882-427: A referendum , and he was re-elected in 2000 , 2007 and 2015 , each time receiving over 90% of the vote. He died from a stroke on 2 September 2016, after being president of the country for 25 years. He ruled a repressive authoritarian regime in Uzbekistan where political opponents were assassinated, human rights were repressed, and dissent was prohibited; however, capital punishment was repealed in 1998. Karimov

3013-417: A repressive regime in the country. Whether troops fired indiscriminately to prevent a colour revolution or acted legitimately to quell a prison break is also disputed. Another theory is that the dispute was really an inter-clan struggle for state power. The Uzbek government eventually acknowledged that poor economic conditions in the region and popular resentment played a role in the uprising. Andijan

3144-421: A son together, Petr, before divorcing. Karimov's wife, Tatyana Akbarovna Karimova , whom he married in 1967, is of Tatar origin. She is an economist. They had two daughters and five grandchildren. His elder daughter Gulnara Karimova is an Uzbekistani diplomat, professor and businessperson. She is the founder and chairperson of The Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Foundations Board of Trustees and

3275-618: A square in the Yakimanka district in the center of Moscow was named after Islam Karimov. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid tribute to Karimov in Samarkand on 12 November. President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the grave of Islam Karimov on 18 November, as a part of his official visit to Uzbekistan. Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev paid tribute to Karimov on 24 December, during his working visit to Uzbekistan. On 7 March 2017, Presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow opened

3406-483: A third term. On 19 November, the Central Election Commission announced the approval of Karimov's candidacy, a decision that Karimov's opponents condemned as illegal. Following the election on 23 December 2007, preliminary official results showed Karimov winning with 88.1% of the vote, on a turnout rate that was placed at 90.6%. Observers from groups allied to the Karimov administration such as

3537-544: A transparent investigation". After the Andijan massacre United States State Department officials argued in favor of ending all US ties to Uzbekistan, whereas the United States Defense Department argued that the US should take a look at each program and decide on a case-by-case basis. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld opposed an international investigation into the incident. One interpretation of

3668-596: A working visit to Uzbekistan. He laid roses to Karimov's grave, met his wife, and held talks with Interim President Mirziyoyev. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu laid a wreath at Karimov's grave on 20 October. Other high-ranking officials of Azerbaijan , India , the United Arab Emirates , as well as Under Secretary for Political Affairs of the United States Thomas Shannon also paid tribute to Karimov. On 1 November,

3799-691: Is another known mass grave outside of Andijan in the botanical gardens in the center of the city. Vitaly Ponomaryov, director of the Central Asia Program at the Moscow-based Memorial Human Rights Center , said, "planes flew out of Andijon beginning late in the evening on 13 May. In the course of 24 hours, there were around 18 flights. Our source for this information doesn't know where they were flying to, but he spoke with an eyewitness who talked about 36 bodies that were loaded into one plane alone." Despite

3930-474: Is complex and yet to be fully determined, involving as it does not only the speculation of certain scholars but also the cautious interpretation of several local folk legends: There are four higher education institutions in Andijan City. Andijan state university, Andijan medical institute, Andijan machine-building institute and Andijan branch Tashkent state agrarian university. The Andijan Medical Institute

4061-476: Is located 450 metres (1,480 ft) above sea level on the southeastern edge of the Fergana Valley , near Uzbekistan's border with Kyrgyzstan . By road it is 22 kilometres (14 mi) northeast of Asaka and 68.6 kilometres (42.6 mi) southeast of Namangan . Andijan has a cold semi-arid climate ( Köppen climate classification BSk ) with cold winters and hot summers, with a very continental climate , although winters are milder than one might expect for

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4192-424: Is not a CSTO member, and we don't interfere in the internal affairs of other countries". Kyrgyzstan, which had recently undergone a revolution , closed its border with Uzbekistan. When asked about the government's response to the incident, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the U.S. government has been "very consistently critical of the human rights situation in Uzbekistan, we're very concerned about

4323-433: Is the largest of the four. In 2022, Andijan state institute of foreign languages was founded, being the only state institute where foreign languages are taught. The city is also home to four colleges, one academic lyceum, 21 vocational schools, 47 secondary schools, three music and art schools, nine sports schools, and 86 kindergartens. Andijan Jame Mosque Complex architectural monument (late 19th century). It consists of

4454-519: Is the oldest city in Uzbekistan and one of the oldest cities in the Fergana Valley. In some parts of the city, archeologists have found items dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries B.C.E. Historically, Andijan was an important city on the Silk Road . The city is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Babur who, following a series of setbacks, finally succeeded in laying the basis for

4585-405: Is unclear whether Karimov personally ordered the attack. Galima Bukharbaeva , a journalist for IWPR , witnessed a "mass of dead and wounded. At first, one group of armoured-personnel carriers approached the [city] square, and then another group appeared. They opened fire without mercy on everyone indiscriminately, including women and children. The crowd began to run in all directions. We dove into

4716-685: The American Bar Association to end its activities after it gave funding to local non-governmental organizations. On 26 July an Uzbek court ordered Winrock International, which gave technical expertise to farmers, to leave because the court found it had "denigrated national values". The Uzbek government ordered Central Asian Free Exchange to leave on 7 July on the grounds that it had an "unregistered logo" and lacked an "Internet license". Urban Institute received an order to shut down on 12 July because their officials discussed "the socioeconomic and sociopolitical situation in Uzbekistan" during

4847-672: The Bush administration had declared Uzbekistan to be vital to US security because it hired out a large military base to US military forces. The Uzbek government ordered the closing of the United States Karshi-Khanabad Air Base and improved ties with the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation , who supported the government's response in Andijan. The protesters initially asked for

4978-546: The Erk/Liberty Democratic Party political party in Uzbekistan, estimated more than a thousand casualties in the massacre. Solih said the bodies were buried in mass graves holding 15 to 20 people each, or were thrown into the Karasu River . Between 13 and 14 May, 18 flights took 35 or more bodies from Andijan out of the city. Solih said, "Andijan is a litmus test for countries who want influence in

5109-801: The Fergana Region . From 1990 to 1991, he served as a member of the Central Committee and Politburo . On 24 March 1990, he was elected the first President of the Republic by the Uzbek Supreme Soviet. On 31 August 1991, 10 days after the attempted coup in Moscow , Karimov declared Uzbekistan to be an independent republic, the second of the Central Asian republics to do so (after neighboring Kyrgyzstan); 1 September

5240-715: The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and Hizb ut-Tahrir , two Islamist organizations which have been designated as terrorist by his government. The Uzbek government sentenced Tohir Yoʻldosh and Juma Namangani , leaders of the IMU, to death in absentia . Namangani died in Afghanistan in 2001, and Tohir Yoʻldosh was killed in an air strike on 27 August 2009. From 1991 to 2004, the government imprisoned over 7,000 Uzbeks for "Islamist extremism", and silenced Imams like Muhammad Rajab, who advocated for more open democracy in

5371-564: The Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied Poland and banished by the Soviets to Siberia and Central Asia , some relocated to Andijan starting in 1941. In the 1990s, Andijan and the surrounding region became politically unstable. Poverty and an upsurge in Islamic fundamentalism produced tensions in the region. The town, and the region as a whole, suffered a severe economic decline following

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5502-833: The Mughal dynasty in the Indian subcontinent and became the first Mughal emperor. Andijan also gained notoriety in 2005 when government forces opened fire on protestors, killing hundreds in what came to be known as the Andijan Massacre . Andijan was developed into an important industrial city during the Soviet era. Manufactured goods produced in the city include chemicals , domestic appliances , electronics , foodstuffs , furniture , plows , pumps , shoes , spare parts for farming machines, various engineering tools, and wheelchairs . Andijan experiences frequent seismic activity and

5633-669: The Muslim call to prayer from being broadcast in the country; the ban was lifted in November 2017 by his successor, Shavkat Mirziyoyev . Karimov sought another term in the December 2007 presidential election , despite arguments that he was ineligible because of the two-term limit on the presidency. On 6 November 2007, Karimov accepted the nomination of the Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party to run for

5764-465: The People's Republic of China , India , South Korea , Ukraine , Azerbaijan , Armenia , Japan , and the United Arab Emirates . The State Council of Cuba declared 5 September as an official day of mourning due to the death of the President of Uzbekistan. On 6 September, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Samarkand to pay tribute to Karimov. Kneeling in front of the grave of

5895-500: The Prime Minister of Turkey Binali Yıldırım expressed his condolences for the death of Karimov in a televised meeting becoming the first official to confirm the death. According to the government report, Karimov was in stable neurological condition in a coma, but progressively began to experience multiple organ failure. He suffered another cardiac arrest at 20:15 UZT on 2 September and attempts to resuscitate him failed, and he

6026-448: The SNB alleged that 1,500 were killed. The bodies of many of those who died were allegedly hidden in mass graves following the massacre . The Uzbek government at first stated that the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan organized the unrest and that the protesters were members of Hizb ut-Tahrir . Critics have argued that the radical Islamist label has been just a pretext for maintaining

6157-646: The September 11 attacks in 2001, Uzbekistan was considered a strategic ally in the United States' " War on Terror " campaign because of a mutual opposition to the Taliban . Uzbekistan hosted an 800-strong U.S. troop presence at the Karshi-Khanabad base , also known as "K2", which supported U.S.-led efforts in the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan . The move was criticized by Human Rights Watch which said

6288-642: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Commonwealth of Independent States gave the election a positive assessment. However, observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe criticized the election as lacking a "genuine choice", while others deemed the election, a "political charade", given that all three of Karimov's rivals began their campaign speeches by singing Karimov's praises. Karimov

6419-507: The fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Repeated border closures badly damaged the local economy, worsening the already widespread poverty of Andijan's inhabitants. On 13 May 2005, Uzbekistan's military opened fire on a mass of people who were protesting against poor living conditions and corrupt government. The estimates of those killed on 13 May range from 187, the official count of the government, to several hundred. A defector from

6550-768: The "charges against her are politically motivated". Karimov's second daughter, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva , is known in Uzbekistan for her role in promoting education and sports, as well as championing the rights of children. She is the founder of major charity organizations in Uzbekistan: "You are not alone", Republican Social Children's Fund for helping orphans, and Republican Center for Social Adaptation of Children, mainly focusing on disabled children and those from vulnerable groups. Karimov and his second wife Tatyana Akbarovna Karimova share five grandchildren: (Islam Karimova Jr., Iman Karimova, Mariam Tillyaeva , Umar Tillyaev, Safiya Tillyaeva). Karimov's health problems were

6681-476: The 12,500 troops involved included the "17th air-assault brigade and a battalion of specialized operations from the Eastern military district ( Military of Uzbekistan ); a brigade of rapid reaction forces and a separate battalion of Special Forces "Bars" of the Ministry of Interior's internal troops; and four separate units of Special Forces of the National Security Service". Muhammad Solih , founder and leader of

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6812-917: The 1999 Tashkent bombings. Others have suggested the bombings were done by the SNB under the leadership of Rustam Inoyatov, who at the time led the Tashkent clan. Analysts suggested a series of bombings in 2004 in Tashkent and Bukhara may have been done by the SNB against the Interior Ministry. Dilyor Jumabayev, a prominent member of Hizb ut-Tahrir , later said in an interview in Kara-Suu , Kyrgyzstan that in February 2005 SNB agents offered to pay Hizb ut-Tahrir members to overthrow Andijan's government; "But we refused. They said they were sick and tired of Karimov's regime. But we said, 'After Karimov will come another Karimov.' We said such things are sin. We did not participate." Andijan At more 2,500 years in age, Andijan

6943-538: The 23 businessmen, "grew rich". In late 2004 Karimov appointed Ikromkhon Nazhmiddinov, who succeeded Begaliyev as the Minister of Agriculture and Water, Governor of Ferghana province . The source said, "Criminal proceedings were started against many of his [Obidov's] administration members. The new hokim also decided to re-divide the businesses in the province; he cracked down on the entrepreneurs who had been supported by Obidov. They were told to sell their businesses for

7074-826: The 23 defendants, also took over the regional administration building in Andijan, and took at least twenty law enforcement and government officials hostage, including the Head of the Prosecutors Office and the Chief of the Tax Inspection Authority. The militants unsuccessfully tried to seize the National Security Service (SNB) headquarters in the city. They demanded the resignation of President Islam Karimov . Karimov's press office said that "intensive negotiations" proved fruitless. "The militants, taking cover behind women and children, are refusing any compromise",

7205-462: The 500 protesters staging an anti-government demonstration were killed after being driven deliberately into a trap – authorities had blocked all the exits from Bobur Square with armoured personnel carriers , preventing people from dispersing home. Instead, they drove the crowd into a closed street, Chulpon Avenue, where snipers and police shot to kill. These scenes of deliberate killings prompted eyewitnesses to allege that troops not only shot to disperse

7336-695: The American Council for Collaboration in Education and Language Study, Internews Network, BBC World Service , Ezgulik, and the Uzbek branch of the UNHCR . On 3 October 2005 the European Union imposed an arms embargo on Uzbekistan and decided to deny visas to top Uzbek officials, in response to an "excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force", and because of the Uzbek government's opposition to an international investigation into

7467-407: The Andijan crackdown, Human Rights Watch said the killing of unarmed protesters by the Uzbek government on 13 May was so extensive and unjustified that it amounted to a massacre. The song "Anda Jonim Qoldi Mening" ( English : Over There Remains This Soul of Mine) about Andijan by Sherali Jo'rayev was popularized by the incident. The line Andijonim qoldi mening (meaning my Andijan remains ) from

7598-526: The Andijan massacre as a terrorist plot. The SCO passed resolutions in July 2005 calling for nations to deny asylum to Uzbek refugees from Andijan in Kyrgyzstan. Andijan protesters had called for help from Vladimir Putin , but Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference after meeting with the foreign ministers of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member nations, "Uzbekistan

7729-608: The British government for memos disagreeing with official UK and US policy, which was at the time to back up Karimov as part of the global war on terror . Uzbekistan was used for extraordinary rendition and for the air base in Karshi-Khanabad . Murray wrote a memoir about his experiences; Murder in Samarkand , retitled Dirty Diplomacy in the United States. The United Nations found torture "institutionalized, systematic, and rampant" in Uzbekistan's judicial system . For several years, Parade magazine selected Karimov as one of

7860-544: The Constitution would have required him to leave office in 2000. However, the legislature passed a resolution opposing the decision, leading Karimov to announce he would run for reelection in 2000. In the election held at 9 January , he was reelected with 91.9% of the vote. The United States said that this election "was neither free nor fair and offered Uzbekistan's voters no true choice". The sole opposition candidate, Abdulhafiz Jalalov, implicitly admitted that he entered

7991-580: The Joint Headquarters of the Armed Forces Ismail Ergashev, and Commander of the Eastern military district Kosimali Akhmedov. Karimov replaced Almatov with the deputy director of the SNB, a member of the Tashkent clan. This greatly shifted control of security to the Tashkent clan which has traditionally controlled the SNB. Analysts had previously suggested that the Interior Ministry, under Almatov's leadership, had organized

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8122-452: The Karimov administration included Mustaqil Haftalik and Erk , the respective publications of the Birilik and Erk opposition parties. The Karimov government charged each publication on the grounds of being "disloyal to the current regime". In December 1995, Karimov was quoted in describing local journalists as "toothless". Karimov had essentially called for more criticism in printed material, but only "approved" criticism. In May 2002,

8253-578: The Karimov administration lifted the pre-publication censorship, and fined the chief censor, Ervin Kamilov. The State Inspectorate for the Protection of State Secrets was disbanded. Two days later, the administration proceeded to reinstate further censorship measures. Among topics prohibited in Uzbekistan's publications are official corruption, opposition political parties and Islamic organizations. Radio Liberty lost its broadcast rights. Uzbekistan has one state-run internet server, UZPAK, that blocks prohibited websites. In November 2014, Uzbek students published

8384-473: The Karimov administration's record on human rights and press freedom . In particular, Craig Murray , the British Ambassador from 2002 to 2004, described widespread torture, kidnapping, murder, rape by the police, financial corruption, religious persecution, censorship and other human rights abuses. This included the case of Karimov's security forces executing prisoners Muzafar Avazov and Khuzniddin Alimov by boiling them alive in 2002. Murray became noted within

8515-501: The Looking Glass . The film incorporates testimony from survivors, who speak for the first time five years after the massacre. In 2012, the Danish journalist Michael Andersen completed the 80-minute film Massacre in Uzbekistan . After non-governmental organizations criticized the government's response, non-governmental organizations based in the Western world had their operations in Uzbekistan shut down on charges some analysts have criticized as spurious. In April 2006 an Uzbek court ordered

8646-460: The SNB at the time of the incident, alleged that 1,500 people were killed – over twice the highest number estimated by outside observers. In October 2005 an Uzbek court found several Kyrgyz citizens guilty of several crimes revolving around involvement in the Andijan massacre. The government denied access to observers and refused to identify the defendants as the trial proceeded. In a 60-page report based on 50 interviews with victims and witnesses of

8777-463: The State Control Inspecorate, located in Tashkent, secures tight editorial control. Topics deemed "sensitive" are not considered for publishing. A ban is in place that prevents publications that give space to "unregistered opinions". Arrests of journalists have been documented in Tashkent and Samarkand. As a propaganda tool, the state strictly controls the tone and subject material of all published works. State censors give preference to works that provide

8908-409: The U.S. government subordinated the promotion of human rights to assistance in the War in Afghanistan. U.S.-Uzbek relations deteriorated in May 2005 when Karimov's government strongly encouraged the abandonment of the U.S. base in the face of U.S. government criticism of the government killings of protestors in Andijan . In July 2005 U.S. military forces left Karshi-Khanabad. Karimov mobilized against

9039-473: The Uzbek National Security Service (SNB) fired into a crowd of protesters. Estimates of those killed on 13 May range from 187, the official count of the government, to several hundred. A defector from the SNB alleged that 1,500 were killed. The bodies of many of those who died were allegedly hidden in mass graves following the massacre . Three narratives concerning the events exist: The Uzbek government did however acknowledge that poor economic conditions in

9170-499: The Uzbek SSR, chairman of the State Planning Committee and deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Uzbek SSR. In 1986, Karimov assumed the post of first secretary of the Kashkadarya Regional Committee of the Communist Party of Uzbekistan Committee of the Communist Party of the Uzbek SSR. In 1989, he became first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Uzbek SSR, after his predecessor Rafiq Nishonov failed to quell inter-ethnic clashes and instability in

9301-470: The Uzbek government blamed for fomenting the incident that led to the protests. He believes that the attacks were a pretext to repress dissenters. According to Yakubov, President Karimov personally ordered government troops to fire on the protestors. In response to the military sanctions imposed by the US and Europe, Karimov expelled US forces from the Karshi-Khanabad Military Base. Karimov married his first wife, Natalya Petrovna Kuchmi, in 1964 and they had

9432-568: The ambassador of the United Kingdom to Uzbekistan, criticized the US government's position, calling it a "sickening response". A bipartisan group of U.S. senators criticized the State Department's reaction and called for a United Nations investigation: "We believe that the United States must be careful about being too closely associated with a government that has killed hundreds of demonstrators and refused international calls for

9563-423: The arrests occurred as part of a purge of allies of Andijan's long-time provincial governor, Kobiljon Obidov, who had been impeached and replaced with Saydullo Begaliyev, allegedly at the behest of President Islam Karimov . Melissa Hooper, a US lawyer in Tashkent who worked with the defense in the trial, said on 14 May, "This is more about [the businessmen] acquiring economic clout, and perhaps refusing to pay off

9694-434: The book of condolences. Azeri President Ilham Aliyev , Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis , Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang , and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Uzbek embassies to sign the book. On 3 September, thousands of people lined the streets of Tashkent for Karimov's funeral procession, throwing flowers at the cortege, as he was taken to the airport to be flown to his native Samarkand, where he

9825-549: The buildings of the Tashkent State Agrarian University are adjacent to the river, the waterfront was not included in the new general plan of Andijan (adopted and approved in 2017) and in the city limits. The vegetation of Andijan is diverse and rich. The city itself is decorated with exotic, ornamental, subtropical, fruit, citrus, nut, coniferous and deciduous crops of trees and shrubs. Floriculture and horticulture are widely developed. In

9956-400: The city (especially picea abies and blue spruce , archa , juniper , fir, cupressus , pine and cedrus ). Chestnuts and walnuts are also being planted in Andijan, almonds , pistachios , diospyros , elaeagnus angustifolia , jujube , pomegranate trees , wine trees (yellow and black figs ), laurus and various fruit trees are growing in the courtyards . In 2022, Andijan had

10087-577: The city quickly became an important industrial city in the Uzbek SSR . During the Soviet demarcation of Central Asia , Andijan was separated from its historical hinterland as the Ferghana Valley was divided among three separate Soviet republics. Andijan itself became part of the Uzbek SSR . During World War II , many Soviet citizens were evacuated to Andijan and the surrounding towns. Of

10218-407: The city. Manufactured goods produced in the city include chemicals , domestic appliances , electronics , foodstuffs , furniture , plows , pumps , shoes , spare parts for farming machines, various engineering tools, and wheelchairs . Andijan is also home to over 50 international companies, five of which produce spare parts for GM Uzbekistan . The etymology of the name of the city of Andijan

10349-465: The country following their coverage of the massacre, including Galima Bukharbaeva and German reporter Marcus Bensmann . The state charged these journalists in absentia with "providing informational support to terrorism". Peace Corps Uzbekistan closed its post in response to increased security threats, according to policy that corresponds with the security level of the in-country United States Embassy. On 16 May several foreign news sources estimated

10480-422: The creation of paradoxically named GONGOs, or Government-Organised Non-Governmental Organisations. Trade unions became "an instrument of management rather than a means of interest group-based collective bargaining". The Karimov government required universities to serve a strictly pedagogical purpose and not as a branch of civil society; they had to provide students with skills for the workplace without an emphasis on

10611-409: The dead in Andijan as numbering between 400 and 600, with civilians accounting for almost all the victims. One report stated that troops had systematically shot the wounded after the first shootings. A press release on the same day on the official government website continued to maintain that "As a result of the clashes, 9 people died [sic] and 34 were injured". In 2008, defector Ikrom Yakubov, a major in

10742-403: The dead in Andijan as numbering between 400 and 600, with civilians accounting for almost all the victims. Some reports stated that troops had systematically shot the wounded after the first shootings. Uzbek President Islam Karimov "placed blame for the unrest on Islamic extremist groups, a label that he has used to describe political opponents in recent years and that his critics say is used as

10873-418: The defendants, videotaped the demonstration, which the police did not interrupt. Demonstrators lined the streets around the courthouse, with women on one side and men on the other. By 11 May over 4,000 demonstrators had gathered to hear the verdict. Prosecutors had asked for prison terms ranging from three to seven years for 20 of the accused, offering to free the remaining three. However, the government postponed

11004-538: The definition of "accountability" was left to the Karimov and now is left to the successive Presidential administration's discretion. Article 29 states that all freedom of media expression is to be allowed with the exceptions of releasing state secrets and statements against the Constitution. The printed media of Uzbekistan has a high number of publications, but is dominated by three: Khalq Sozi , its Russian edition Narodnoye Slovo , and another Russian-language publication, Pravda Vostoka . The state owns almost all media, and

11135-459: The demonstration, but to summarily execute anyone who took part in it. Later, some tortured detainees recounted that police said they had received orders supposedly emanating from the president himself to shoot to kill. According to Ikram Yakubov , a major in Uzbekistan's secret service who defected to Britain in 2007, the government had "propped up" the Islamist organization Akramia , which

11266-544: The early 1990s. These fears of extremism arose out of discourse among the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) of a "Jihad against the Karimov regime". The government of Uzbekistan retains fears of "large-scale all-encompassing anti-state conspiracies" and "echoes of Basmachi " Among Karimov's anti-Islamist policies was the purge of Muslim leaders. Karimov led a crackdown on Adolat, a league of Muslim activists. Explicit fears of threats of Islamic extremism also led to

11397-577: The eastern frontier town of Qorasuv , 50 km east of Andijan. They torched police offices and cars, before attacking guards on the Kyrgyz border . Uzbek troops sealed off the town. Authorities in Kyrgyzstan turned 6,000 Uzbeks away. Uzbek army helicopters were seen circling overhead. Saidjahon Zaynabitdinov, head of Appeal, an Uzbek human rights organization, said 200 people were killed in Pakhtabad district on 14 May when government troops fought with

11528-629: The economic sanctions and how to proceed. Uzbek Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov stressed the need to respect Uzbekistan's sovereignty when an EU delegation met with officials from Central Asian governments in Astana , Kazakhstan on 27–28 March. Pierre Morel , the European Union's special representative to Central Asia, said continuing negotiations would be positive. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation , composed of Russia, China, Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Tajikistan , and Uzbekistan, characterized

11659-536: The efforts to gain greater access to developmental aid and foreign investment. According to the Uzbek Constitution freedom of expression in the media is nominally guaranteed; Article 67 explicitly states, "Censorship is not permitted." However, under the Karimov government, all media publications had to be "held accountable for the reliability" of the information released. This "accountability" actually introduces an opportunity for government censorship, as

11790-552: The events. In November 2006 the EU renewed the sanctions but agreed to resume low-level talks. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said on 15 May that "there had been a clear abuse of human rights" in Uzbekistan. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier met with Uzbek Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov in March 2007. He told the foreign ministers of the governments of European Union member nations in Brussels on 5 March that

11921-660: The first Mughal emperor. After the formation of the Khanate of Kokand in the 18th century, the capital was moved from Andijan to Kokand . In the mid-19th century, the Russian Empire began occupying the area of present-day Central Asia . In 1876, the Russians conquered the Khanate of Kokand and the city of Andijan along with it. Andijan was the center and flashpoint of the Andijan Uprising of 1898 in which

12052-474: The first President of Uzbekistan, the Russian leader laid a bouquet of red roses. In addition, Putin met with the relatives of the deceased and expressed condolences to them. On 12 September, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev also visited Karimov's burial site. He laid a bouquet of red roses, prayed beside his grave, and met Karimov's wife. On 6 October, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko paid

12183-415: The followers of Sufi leader Madali Ishan attacked the Russian barracks in the city, killing 22 and injuring 16-20 more. In retaliation, 18 of the participants were hanged and 360 exiled. On 16 December 1902, much of the city was leveled by a severe earthquake which destroyed up to 30,000 homes in the region and killed as many as 4,500 residents. After Soviet rule was established in Andijan in 1917,

12314-454: The government "propped up" Akramia , which the Uzbek government blamed for fomenting the sparking the incident led to the protests. He believes that the attacks were used as a pretext to repress dissenters. According to Yakubov, President Karimov personally ordered government troops to fire on the protesters. In some accounts, the troops involved in the quelling of the uprising were from the Interior Ministry. Burnashev and Chernykh report that

12445-542: The government of Uzbekistan may be willing to let the International Committee of the Red Cross visit prisons in Uzbekistan, hold talks on the Andijan massacre with EU officials, and letting EU officials reexamine human rights cases in return for an end to the sanctions imposed by the EU following the incidents in Andijan. Steinmeier visited Uzbekistan again from 6–9 April to further assess the effects of

12576-574: The head of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Moscow State Medical University . On 29 August 2016, there were unconfirmed reports from the Ferghana News Agency , which represents the opposition, that he had died that day at 15:30 UZT. On 31 August, Karimova-Tillyaeva cited possible "recovery", thus implying that her father was still alive. On 1 September, the 25th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence , Karimov's speech

12707-402: The independence of Uzbekistan on 1 September 1991. He declared Uzbekistan as an independent nation on 31 August 1991. He subsequently won the presidential election on 29 December 1991 , with 86% of the vote. Foreign observers and the opposition cited voting irregularities, alleging state-run propaganda and a falsified vote count. Karimov's first presidential term was extended to 2000 by way of

12838-496: The indiscriminate use of force by Uzbek forces. There needs to be a credible and a transparent accounting to establish the facts of the matter of what occurred in Andijon. At the same time I think it is clear that the episode began by an armed attack on the prison and on other government facilities. There are reports of hostage-taking and other claims that should be investigated. Nothing justified such acts of violence." Craig Murray ,

12969-571: The local authorities, than about any religious beliefs". Andrei Grozin, head of the Central Asia and Kazakhstan Department of the Institute of CIS Countries, said in an interview conducted by Rossiiskaya gazeta that authorities used the trial to "take away the business of several entrepreneurs under a clearly trumped-up pretext". During the trials, protests in front of the courthouse were common. On 10 May another demonstration occurred involving at least 1,000 people. The protesters, mainly relatives of

13100-444: The lower reaches are enveloped by forest groves of walnut and coniferous forests. Winters are usually mild and short. Winds are weaker than in the western parts of the valley, averaging 5 m/s, and average annual precipitation is 232 mm per year. Summers are comparatively less hot than in Central Asia. Main water arteries of Andijan city: Despite the fact that in some places the urban neighborhoods of Andijan's suburbs and

13231-409: The national government. Governor Obidov's involvement in several political scandals lost him favor with President Karimov, who personally attended his impeachment proceedings. According to an anonymous source who spoke with EurasiaNet Obidov "was the province's master... businesses favored by the hokim got the green light for everything. All the entrepreneurs who enjoyed [Obidov's] patronage", including

13362-708: The official medical report, numerous experts were consulted on Karimov's condition on 27 and 28 August, including Gilles Dreyfus , medical director of the Cardiothoracic Center of Monaco ; Juha Hernesniemi , professor emeritus of neurosurgery at the University of Helsinki ; Amir Samii, medical director of the International Neuroscience Institute in Hannover; Hugo Katus of University Hospital Heidelberg and Leo Bokeria,

13493-480: The oldest cities in the Fergana Valley . In some parts of the city, archeologists have found items dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries. Historically, Andijan was an important city on the Silk Road . The city is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Babur who, following a series of setbacks, finally succeeded in laying the basis for the Mughal dynasty in the Indian Subcontinent and became

13624-440: The outbreak of violence in Andijan, in particular the escape of prisoners, including possibly members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan , an organization we consider a terrorist organization. I think at this point we're looking to all the parties involved to exercise restraint to avoid any unnecessary loss of life." At another point Boucher said, "It's becoming increasingly clear that very large numbers of civilians were killed by

13755-530: The poetry of the first Mughal emperor Babur , a native of Andijan, was one of the most used phrases on the Uzbek-language internet after the uprisings. Several documentary films have been made about the Andijan uprising and its impact on the lives of those caught up in it. In 2010, the British journalist Monica Whitlock, who was the BBC correspondent in Uzbekistan at the time, made the 55-minute film Through

13886-540: The race only to make it seem democratic and publicly stated that he voted for Karimov. According to dissident writer Alisher Ilkhamov from the Open Society Foundations , 99.6% had elected to keep Karimov in office after his term had expired, but ballots had been created such that it was much easier for voters to cast a "yes" vote than a "no" vote. Unmarked ballots, as well as ballots of those who did not vote, were automatically counted as "yes" votes, while

14017-414: The region and popular resentment played a role in the uprising. Troops may possibly have fired indiscriminately to quell a prison break. It was claimed that calls from Western governments for an international investigation prompted a major shift in Uzbek foreign policy favouring closer relations with autocratic nations, although the Uzbek government is known to have close ties with the U.S. government, and

14148-414: The region. Russia sees Central Asia as the source for religious extremism , while China fears a growth of internal separatists ", but "neither wants to recognize that Karimov gives strength to what they fear". The Chinese and Russian governments' support for the Uzbek government allowed it to avoid an international investigation. Juraboy, a citizen of Andijan, led a Radio Free Europe correspondent to

14279-475: The release of 23 local businessmen who were arrested on 23 June 2004 and charged with " extremism, fundamentalism and separatism ". The police subsequently charged them with membership in Akromiya , an organization the government has designated and banned as terrorist . The businessmen denied the charge, saying they were arrested because of their growing support among the local populace. Some accounts suggest that

14410-420: The right to meetings, publications and elections of opposition parties, but only to those who had registered with the Ministry of Justice. This policy allowed for government blockage of unapproved parties. Political parties based on ethnic, religious, military or subversive ideas were prohibited. At the time, Karimov publicly stated that he considered the referendum to be a re-election to a second term, which under

14541-405: The scheduled sentencing. The government arrested some of the protesters and relatives of the defendants late on 12 May. On the night of 12 May or early in the morning of 13 May armed men attacked the prison where the businessmen were held and freed them, along with hundreds of other prisoners, many of whom were charged with similar charges; several prison guards were killed. The armed men, including

14672-467: The security issues facing Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). "As long as war continues in Afghanistan , the threat to peace, security and democratic reforms in the neighbouring states of Central Asia will remain, and the source of international terrorism and its expansion well beyond the region's boundaries will be preserved." Western states repeatedly criticised

14803-601: The skill of critique of public issues. Karimov had originally cultivated Islamic symbols after independence in order to coopt religious opposition. In May 1999, as a response to the threat of Islamic radicalism, the Oliy Majlis revised the 'Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations' to impose new restrictions on religious groups. The construction of mosques, for example, required permission and specific documentation. An assassination attempt on Karimov in 1999 elicited even more repression of Islamic groups. After

14934-415: The square without warning. There are reports that the protesters used government hostages as human shields in the front row as they tried to escape. According to Human Rights Watch , the government then sealed off the perimeter of the protest and opened fire. Some reports indicate indiscriminate firing by government troops, including the use of snipers, automatic rifles, and armoured personnel carriers . It

15065-500: The statement said. Encouraged by the prison break, even more protesters gathered in the central square to voice their anger over growing poverty and government corruption, speaking at microphones that were installed at Babur Square . Though government officials blocked the roads to Babur Square in the morning, they let people through on foot. Someone (it is unclear who) set fire to the Babur theater and cinema. Government soldiers blocked

15196-399: The streets to the prison. Shooting incidents began in the morning; there was at least one exchange of gunfire between armed civilians and troops. But protesters remained on the square, apparently because of rumors that Karimov was coming to address their demands or because attempts to exit the square or surrender were refused. Around 17:00 or 18:00, the government launched a major offensive on

15327-499: The two leaders to try to seize power. Both leaders considered coup d'états in 2004, early 2005, and in mid-2005. During the unrest security forces under the authority of the Ministry of Defense acted as police forces. Ministry of Interior troops were abolished and counter-terrorism divisions were put under the command of the Ministry of Defense or the National Security Service (SNB), run by the Tashkent clan. Karimov fired Defense Minister Kadyr Gulyamov, Interior Minister Almatov, Head of

15458-621: The unrest and the preceding trial mainly espoused by Central Asian scholars is an inter-clan struggle between the Tashkent-Ferghana clan alliance and the rival Samarkand clan . On 25 May 2004 the legislative chamber of Andijan's regional government voted to impeach Kobiljon Obidov, the Governor of Andijan and a leading member of the Ferghana clan, replacing him with Saydullo Begaliyev, the former Minister of Agriculture and Water in

15589-435: The violent crushing of the protests, the following day thousands reappeared to demonstrate. Huge crowds shouted "killers, murderers", and again demanded the president step down. One man, speaking of the previous days' events, said, "People were raising their hands up in the air showing they were without arms but soldiers were still shooting at them". On 14 May thousands seeking to flee the country stormed government buildings in

15720-418: The world's worst dictators, citing his tactics of torture, media censorship and fake elections . Karimov's Party apparatus gained effective control over the media during the immediate independence period. Because of a poor human rights and democratization record, the Karimov administration worked to improve its image by allowing broadcasts from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . A tarnished record had harmed

15851-399: The years of Uzbekistan's independence, great importance was attached to planting exotic and subtropical crops to replace the year-round weedy chinar . In the city streets, squares, alleys and near administrative buildings began to be planted: Conifers have been well established in Andijan for many decades , and over the last 25 years coniferous and fir trees have become very popular in

15982-596: Was an Uzbek politician who served as the first president of Uzbekistan , from the country's independence in 1991 until his death in 2016. He was the last First Secretary of the Communist Party of Uzbekistan from 1989 to 1991, when the party was reconstituted as the People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (O‘zXDP); he led the O‘zXDP until 1996. He was the President of the Uzbek SSR from 24 March 1990 until he declared

16113-582: Was born in Samarkand to Uzbek parents who were civil servants. According to official data his father was Abdug'ani Karimov, an Uzbek , and his mother was Sanobar Karimova. He was sent to an orphanage in 1941, brought back in 1942, and then returned to the orphanage in 1945. In 1955, he graduated from high school. In 1960, he graduated from the Central Asian Polytechnic Institute (now Tashkent State Technical University ) with

16244-633: Was buried. His funeral service was held at Registan Square , a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ceremony was attended by delegations of 17 foreign countries, including Emomali Rahmon , president of Tajikistan , Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow , president of Turkmenistan and Ashraf Ghani , president of Afghanistan , as well as Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev , Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov , Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili , Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey Yıldırım Tuğrul Türkeş , and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif , among other various level state representatives from

16375-456: Was courted by the big powers for geopolitical leverage and Uzbekistan's gas supplies, but he kept all at arms' length, suspicious of Russia's post-colonial aims and the US-led "democratization" agenda. In 1999, he criticised the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for paying too much attention to the protection of Human rights in Uzbekistan , rather than concentrating on

16506-451: Was declared Uzbekistan's Independence Day. The Uzbek Communist Party (UCP) changed its name to the People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (O‘zXDP). In the December 1991 presidential election , 86 percent of the public cast their votes for Karimov and 12.3 percent for his rival Muhammad Salih , chairman of the Erk (Freedom) Party . Uzbekistan under the Karimov government was classified as

16637-452: Was destroyed by a large earthquake in 1902 . This was the worst earthquake to occur in Uzbekistan in the 20th century. The origin of the name of the city is uncertain. Arab geographers of the 10th century referred to Andijan as "Andukan," "Andugan," or "Andigan." The traditional explanation links the name of the city to the Turkic tribal names Andi and Adoq / Azoq . Andijan is one of

16768-468: Was extended until 2000 through a referendum . Results showed 99.6 percent of voters favoured extending Karimov's term. The United States criticised the referendum for its "lack of public debate," and noted several instances where one person cast the votes of an entire family. Following the referendum, in 1996, restrictions on opposition were further tightened through the Law on Political Parties. This law ensured

16899-476: Was pronounced dead at 20:55 UZT (15:55 UTC). After the death of Karimov, the prime minister, Shavkat Mirziyoyev , was appointed the head of the committee organizing the funeral of the president. A large number of world leaders, including the Presidents of the United States, China, Russia, and India immediately expressed their condolences. Uzbekistan declared three days of mourning and Uzbek embassies opened

17030-410: Was read on TV by a presenter. Karimova-Tillyaeva stated that public support was helping him recover and pleaded with the public not to speculate on his condition. On the morning of 2 September, it was announced that Karimov was in a "critical condition" and his condition has deteriorated sharply. A few hours later Reuters reported the death of Karimov citing three diplomatic sources. Around 16:00 UZT

17161-651: Was reelected for a new term in the 2015 presidential election . He won 90.39% of votes from a voter turnout of 91.08%. This was his third term under Uzbekistan's current constitution. The election was criticized by the Western media and observers as being rigged, while the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation deemed the election open and democratic. His isolationism defined foreign policy. Karimov

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