Umida Niyazova in July 2006 (Courtesy Photo)
April 15, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- The trial of Uzbek independent journalist Umida Niyazova is scheduled to start in Tashkent on April 19.
Rights groups say Niyazova has been indicted on politically motivated charges of illegal border crossing, smuggling, and distributing material that could cause public disorder. She faces up to 10 years in prison.
Niyazova was detained while crossing into Uzbekistan from Kyrgyzstan in December last year. She was interviewing family members of victims of the violence in the eastern city of Andijon in May 2005 that left at least 189 people dead.
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Niyazova was detained while crossing into Uzbekistan from Kyrgyzstan in December last year. She was interviewing family members of victims of the violence in the eastern city of Andijon in May 2005 that left at least 189 people dead.
RFE/RL Central Asia Report
RFE/RL Central Asia Report
SUBSCRIBE For regular news and analysis on all five Central Asian countries by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Central Asia Report."