Tashkent 'Most Likely Behind Attack Against Cleric In Sweden'

Uzbek exile Imam Obidkhon Qori Nazarov

Sweden's Chief Public Prosecutor Krister Petersson says Uzbekistan's secret services must have been behind the attempted assassination of a prominent Uzbek religious cleric in Sweden.

Petersson made his statement July 18 at the trial of an Uzbek couple, who were allegedly involved in the attack.

Imam Obidkhon Qori Nazarov was shot at least three times in the Swedish town of Stromsund in February and has been treated in hospital since then.

The verdict of the two suspects is expected on July 26.

Both were allowed to stay home before the verdict is pronounced.

Nazarov has been living in Sweden since he was granted political asylum in 2006.

With tens of thousands of followers and admirers, he is considered one of the most powerful opponents of the regime of Uzbek President Islam Karimov.