An Uzbek court has fined independent journalist Said Abdurakhimov for "spreading panic" and working without accreditation.
Abdurakhimov told AFP that he was fined the equivalent of $4,000 by the Tashkent court on June 28 for "working without a license" and spreading materials that threaten "public security and order."
He said the fine is equal to many times the monthly salary in Uzbekistan.
Abdurakhimov, who said he will appeal the verdict, said he was also ordered by the court to surrender his video camera.
Abdurahimov writes under the pseudonym of Sid Yanyshev for the Russia-based Fergana.ru website.
The website is often critical of the Uzbek government and is blocked in Uzbekistan.
Abdurahimov was summoned by police after reporting on people whose Tashkent homes were demolished to build a highway.
