Mamadaii Makhmudov, Uzbekistan
Mamadali Makhmudov, a well-known Uzbek writer and opposition activist was arrested in February 1999 after a series of explosions in Tashkent. It is thought that his arrest is also linked to his association with the exiled opposition leader Muhammed Salih. He was charged with “threatening the president”, “threatening the constitutional order”, “organising banned public associations and religious organisations” and “organising a criminal group.” On August 3, 1999 he was found guilty and sentenced to 14 years. Makhmudov was previously imprisoned between 1994 and 1996 for alleged embezzlement and abuse of office, charges which at the time were considered by PEN and Amnesty International to have been fabricated in order to persecute Makhmudov for his association with Salih. This view was supported by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary detentions. A successful international campaign was launched and Makhmudov was released early as part of a presidential amnesty. Makhmudov is currently being held at a high security prison in Tashkent. He was hospitalised in July 2000 reportedly for facial and throat surgery made necessary by extreme ill-treatment and neglect during his detention at another prison. His sentence will expire in 2013.

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