On 2 October 2009, in Tashkent, human rights defender, Mr Farhad Muhtarov, was sentenced to five years in prison on fraud charges. He had pleaded not guilty to charges of fraudulently borrowing sums of money. Farhad Muhtarov is an activist with the grassroots movement Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan, which works on a variety of human rights issues including torture, access to justice, right to a fair trial, economic and social rights, and the rights of vulnerable groups.

Farhad Muhtarov was arrested on 17 July 2009 at the Yunusabad police department in Tashkent where he went to complain about unlawful actions of police officers. His arrest was said to follow suits filed with the police by three individuals – Shoira Sadybekova, Masuda Karimova and Anvar Eshanov – claiming that Farhad Muhtarov had borrowed large sums of money from them. However, Masuda Karimova and Anvar Eshanov later withdrew their cases, stating that they had been forced to file the claims under pressure from the police. The police opened a criminal investigation and pressed charges of fraud based on the third claim by Shoira Sadybekova, although it reportedly lacked corroboration by witnesses or by any written evidence signed by Farhad Muhtarov.

Before the district court case began, Farhad Muhtarov’s wife, Surayo Muhtarova, handed over 5 million sums (approx. $2,630) which he had allegedly owed to Shoira Sadybekova, according to the criminal charges. However this money was immediately seized by Justice Rohata Bakiyeva in the state’s favour. During the hearing, the Prosecutor sought a nine-year prison term, but this was lowered to five years in a general-security prison after Farhad Muhtarov requested the judge to take into account his wife’s deteriorating health and his dependent children when sentencing.

Colleagues of Farhad Muhtarov believe he may have handed over the money in order to construe an admission of guilt in the hope of having his sentence lowered. In addition, sources believe that Farhad Muhtarov may have been tortured or ill-treated in prison, but decided not to testify about his treatment in exchange for a more lenient prison sentence. According to the Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan, the defendant and his lawyers intend to appeal against the court ruling.

Front Line believes that the conviction and sentencing of Farhad Muhtarov is directly related to his work in the defence of human rights, particularly with the Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan. Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Farhad Muhtarov.

Front Line urges you to call on the Uzbek authorities to:

1.Immediately and unconditionally release Farhad Muhtarov, as Front Line believe he is being held solely as a result of his legitimate and peaceful work in the defence of human rights;

2.Ensure that the treatment of Farhad Muhtarov while in detention is consistent with international standards and that his physical and psychological security and integrity is guaranteed;

3.Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Uzbekistan are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.