Thread by @astroehlein

Meet Bobomurod Abdullaev.

We used to be journalist colleagues, reporting on Central Asia nearly 20 years ago.

He has had to flee Uzbekistan after being charged with nonsense.

If Kyrgyzstan sends him back to Uzbekistan, he will be tortured.

Again.

hrw.org/news/2020/08/1…

Torture in detention is systemic in Uzbekistan.

Abdullaev already endured torture at the hands of Uzbek officials once.

Kyrgyz authorities should ensure that it doesn’t happen again and protect him from forced return to Uzbekistan, as is his right under international law.

Abdullaev is one of the brave independent journalists who inspired me to take a greater interest in the region. Working under constant threat, facing bogus charges & torture, they persevere, keeping the idea of freedom & human dignity alive, even amid horrific brutality.

I've probably learned more about the importance of democracy and human rights from independent journalists and activists in Central Asia than I have from people who actually live in democracies.

Good to see other governments taking an interest in Bobomurod Abdullaev's case. #Kyrgyzstan should let him go. If they send him to #Uzbekistan, he will be tortured again.

More here: voanews.com/press-freedom/…

This is completely outrageous. Kyrgyzstan has acted in flagrant violation of international law.

They have sent journalist Bobomurod Abdullaev to Uzbekistan where they know he will be tortured. And, yes, they know - because he was tortured there before.

Given the Abdullaev case and the Askarov case, I never want to hear anyone talk about #Kyrgyzstan somehow being better than the other stans ever again.

The country is run by torture-loving criminals without a shred of human decency.

More:

#FreeBobomurod

Completely beyond the realm of reality... If Bobomurod Abdullaev is "trying to undermine Uzbekistan's constitutional order" then I am trying to undermine Antarctica's manned mission to Venus.
#FreeBobomurod

In a region filled with torturers & murderers in government, analysts used to consider Kyrgyzstan something of an exception.

That hasn't been true for a while now sadly, as recent events remind us.

Thread:

Update on this outrage...
#FreeBobomurod

Good news. And international attention has no doubt had some positive impact on this case (keep it coming).

Uzbek authorities should now drop the charges and end this silliness.

Update: Bobomurod Abdullaev is no longer in detention, it's true, but he still faces criminal prosecution on bogus charges & can be rearrested at any time.

Uzbekistan's authorities should drop the case & lift all restrictions on his freedom of movement.
hrw.org/news/2020/08/2…

“Kyrgyz officials flouted international human rights law by sending Abdullaev back to a country where he is at risk and before his asylum claim had even been considered.” - @HughAWilliamson
hrw.org/news/2020/08/2…