Human rights defender Mr Dmitry Tikhonova was attacked on 23 February 2010. Dmitry Tikhonova is a member of the Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan and actively monitors the human rights situation in the town of Angren in the Tashkent region. The Human Rights Alliance works on several human rights issues including torture, access to justice, right to a fair trial, economic and social rights, and the rights of vulnerable groups.

Further Information

On 23 February 2010, at approximately 8pm, Dmitry Tikhonova was attacked by two unidentified men in the garage of his home in Angren. During the attack, the men reportedly asked him ????? ?? ??? ?????? ? ????????? (Why do you write on the internet?). Dmitry Tikhonova tried to escape, but one of the men hit him on the head with an iron rod and he lost consciousnesses.

The unconscious body of Dmitry Tokhonova was later discovered by one of his friends who brought him to the hospital in Angren for medical treatment. However, despite the fact that he was diagnosed with a serious concussion, Dmitry Tokhonova refused to be admitted to hospital, fearing that he might be attacked again. He is currently in hiding.

On 24 February 2010, Dmitry Tokhonova reported the attack to the police.

Front Line believes that Dmitry Tikhonova was attacked as a direct result of his work in defence of human rights. Front Line is extremely concerned for the security of Dmitry Tikhonova, and fears that this attack is an attempt to sanction his legitimate work in defence of human rights in Uzbekistan.