Tashkent, 27 August 2002 (RFE/RL) -- Suspected Uzbek government agents today detained five activists who were demonstrating against alleged government corruption and police abuse outside the Uzbek Justice Ministry in Tashkent. Witnesses said men in civilian clothes broke up the protest rally and forced five protesters into unmarked cars without license plates.
The demonstrators, members of the nongovernmental Human Rights Organization of Uzbekistan, had been carrying signs calling on President Islam Karimov to end human rights violations.
Police officials said they were not involved in the detentions, and were under orders not to break up peaceful protests.
The demonstrators, members of the nongovernmental Human Rights Organization of Uzbekistan, had been carrying signs calling on President Islam Karimov to end human rights violations.
Police officials said they were not involved in the detentions, and were under orders not to break up peaceful protests.