Wednesday, August 28, 2013

An Uzbek court has sentenced a 75-year-old Uzbek human rights activist to five years in prison.

France-based Uzbek rights activist Mutobar Tojiboeva told RFE/RL on August 28 that a court in central Jizzakh Province sentenced Turaboi Juraboev on August 23.

Juraboev was found guilty of extortion and fraud despite the fact that three plaintiffs withdrew their initial statements.

Juraboev, who is known for his human rights activities, has been a frequent guest on RFE/RL.

He was arrested in May and went on trial on August 5.

Several elderly opposition and human rights activists have been convicted in Uzbekistan recently, including Hasan Choriev, the 71-year-old father of the leader of the Birdamlik opposition movement, and Bobomurod Razzokov, a 61-year-old human rights activist.

Both were charged with rape.