Uzbekistan Airways barred Kazakh human rights activist Ghalym Agheleuov from boarding a plane from the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, to Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, on May 23 without giving any reason. Agheleuov told RFE/RL that he planned to travel to Uzbekistan to attend the appeal hearings of dozens of Karakalpak activists sentenced to various prison terms in recent months over unprecedented protests in Uzbekistan's Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan in July last year. At least 21 people died during the brutal dispersal of the protests sparked by Tashkent's plans to deprive the region of its autonomous status. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.
Uzbek Airline Blocks Kazakh Rights Activist From Boarding Bishkek-Tashkent Flight
Kazakh rights activist Ghalym Agheleuov (file photo)