Muhammad Bekzhon, Ukraine
In March 1999 Muhammad Bekzhon (“Bekjanov”) was deported from the Ukraine on accusations of involvement in a series of explosions in Tashkent. Several others were arrested in connection with these events, including writer Mamadali Makhmudov and the journalist Yusif Ruzimuradov. Bekjanov's arrest is thought to be linked to his association with the exiled opposition leader Muhammed Salih (his brother), and to his work for the opposition party's newspaper Erk, which has been banned since 1994. Bekjanov's co-defendants testified that they were subject to torture during their interrogation including beatings, electric shock and the threat that female family members would be raped. In August 1999, Bekjanov was sentenced to 15 years in prison, for “publishing and distributing a banned newspaper containing slanderous criticism of President Islam Karimov; participating in a banned political protest; and attempting to overthrow the regime.” In 2003 a report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture referred to allegations of torture that had resulted in Bekjanov's leg being broken and mentioned reports that he had contracted TB while in prison. The government denied that “moral or physical pressure” had been applied but also provided details of Bekjanov's medical treatment and reduced his sentence by three years. In October 2006, Bekjanov’s wife visited him in prison and reported that he was still suffering beatings, and had lost most of his teeth.

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