Uzbekistan Convicts Eight Women From Banned Group

(RFE/RL) July 9, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- An Uzbek rights defender says a court in Uzbekistan has sentenced a woman to three years in prison for being a member of a banned Islamic group, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reported.

Surat Ikramov said that seven other women alleged to be members of Hizb ut-Tahrir received three-year suspended sentences.

Hizb ut-Tahrir says it seeks the creation of an Islamic state in Central Asia, but denies any use of violence. The Uzbek government accuses the group of being behind a series of attacks in the country.

(with agency reports)