Justice - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 13 - 18 of 228

United Arab Emirates: 3 Uzbek Citizens Arrested in Rabbi Killing

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have arrested three Uzbek citizens in the killing of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi, the UAE’s Ministry of Interior said Monday. Israel described the killing as an act of antisemitic terrorism. The suspects in the death of Zvi Kogan were identified as Olympi Tohirovich and Makhmodjon Abdulraheem, both 28, as well as 33-year-old Azizbek Kamlovich, according to the UAE ministry. It said a murder investigation was underway and the matter will be referred to public prosecutors. The ministry commended security forces for “their efficiency in addressing attempts to undermine the safety and stability of the UAE community.” The ministry posted photos of the suspects, showing them blindfolded, handcuffed and wearing blue detention clothing. Kogan, the envoy of the ultra-Orthodox Chabad-Lubavitch movement to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, was killed after being abducted on Thursday and his body was recovered early Sunday morning, according to Chabad.org. Kogan’s funeral was held in Israel on Monday. “The murder of Zvi Kogan, of blessed memory, is an abhorrent act of antisemitic terrorism,” Israel said in a statement. “The State of Israel will use all means and will deal with the criminals responsible for his death to the fullest extent of the law.” There were no immediate public statements from Uzbek authorities.

Central Asia Turkmenistan Justice Justice Turkmenistan International Affairs Turkmenistan Local Politics Local Politics Turkmenistan Features Features

Turkmenistan Forcibly Hospitalizes Human Rights Activist to Prevent Her Traveling

Veteran journalist and human rights defender Soltan Achilova was forcibly hospitalized in Turkmenistan, an apparent attempt by authorities to prevent her from leaving the country for an international event in Geneva. The incident was highlighted in a recent article by Rachel Denber, Deputy Director of the Europe and Central Asia Division of Human Rights Watch. Achilova, aged 75, was set to attend an event organized by the Martin Ennals Foundation in recognition of her nomination in 2021 as a finalist for the award. On the morning of November 20, hours before her flight from Ashgabat, four men in medical uniforms arrived at her home. Claiming suspicion of an infectious disease, they forcibly removed her from her residence, confiscated her keys, and transported her to an infectious disease hospital. Shortly after, Achilova's daughter and son-in-law arrived at the scene, only to find one of the men still at the apartment, who demanded they undergo medical examinations due to "contact" with the allegedly infected Achilova. At the hospital, Achilova was subjected to a blood test but was not informed of the specific illness she was purportedly carrying. Officials later declared the test "positive," requiring her indefinite hospitalization. Achilova, along with her daughter and son-in-law, remained at the hospital overnight. This incident reflects a long-standing pattern of repression by Turkmen authorities, who frequently use such tactics to restrict human rights activists from traveling abroad. In 2023, Achilova and her daughter were also barred from traveling to Geneva when officials claimed their passports were damaged. International organizations and human rights defenders have called on Turkmenistan's government to release Achilova and her relatives immediately, cease their forced hospitalization, and allow her to travel freely. Achilova’s ordeal is emblematic of the systemic harassment faced by independent journalists and human rights activists in Turkmenistan. Over the years, she has endured various forms of intimidation: being followed near her home, having her property vandalized, and suffering physical assaults, including attacks by police and unidentified individuals. Achilova's unwavering commitment to human rights has made her a target of state repression. Despite ongoing threats, she continues to raise awareness about the plight of ordinary citizens under Turkmenistan’s authoritarian regime led by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Home Justice Uzbekistan Life & Culture Uzbekistan Features Uzbekistan Justice Features Uzbekistan Life & Culture

Former Uzbek Diplomat, Jailed In Case Criticized by UN, Dies at 73

Kadyr Yusupov, a former Uzbek diplomat with a distinguished career who was convicted of treason and jailed in a case that the United Nations said had violated his rights, has died at the age of 73, an international human rights group said on Thursday. Yusupov, who died on Nov. 14, was released from jail on June 10 after being imprisoned for five and a half years and suffering alleged torture and “deplorable” conditions during some of that time, according to the Norwegian Helsinki Committee. While Uzbek officials denied the torture allegations, the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded in a 2021 report that Yusupov had been arbitrarily detained, he should be released immediately and that the government should take action against those responsible for violating his rights. The group said that the violations included the denial of “medication and treatment for the very serious health conditions from which he suffers.” Rights groups have said that Yusupov was suffering from a mental illness. “In December 2018 he was arrested on charges of treason which appear to have been based on a statement he made during a psychotic episode, when he was undergoing medical treatment,” the Norwegian Helsinki Committee said. “Whilst in hospital, suffering from brain trauma and clearly confused, Yusupov reportedly said that he had been a spy for the West.” It said there were “credible allegations” that state security officers coerced Yusupov into a confession. The former diplomat said he was treated better after being transferred from a prison in the city of Navoi to a jail in the Tashkent region. Yusupov had worked in a series of high-profile jobs for Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The posts included head of the ministry’s Asia and Africa department, head of the European department and, from 2006 to 2009, chargé d’affaires in Austria and permanent representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and United Nations organizations in Vienna.

Central Asia Kyrgyzstan Justice Justice Local Politics Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Local Politics

Kyrgyz Security Chief Outlines Two Alleged Assassination Attempts on President

Kyrgyzstan’s State National Security Committee (GKNB) says it has prevented two assassination attempts on President Sadyr Japarov. This was reported by Kamchybek Tashiyev, Chairman of the GKNB, when speaking to journalists. Tashiyev also claimed that since taking up his post, five or six attempts on his life have been made. Tashiyev stressed that such attempts are regularly thwarted, and significant financial resources are allocated to this end. According to Tashiyev, one of the attempts involved the planned bombing of a road he was supposed to travel on. In addition, Tashiyev described repeated threats against him and his family, in particular a threatening letter he received, which, in his opinion, bore the hallmark of foreign special services and certain oligarchs. “The millions you offered, I did not take. You were angry that you would not be [able to operate] in our country, neither criminals nor oligarchs," Tashiyev stated. "Maybe you'll hurt me, but as long as I'm alive, I will not turn from the path I started.” Born on September 27, 1968, in Barpy, a village in Jalal-Abad Oblast, Kamchybek Tashiyev is a Kyrgyz was appointed as chairman of the GKNB in October 2020, having previously served as Minister of Emergency Situations (2007–2009) and as a deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh. In 2022, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Kyrgyz Republic, and in 2024, he was elected President of the Kyrgyz Football Federation. Tashiyev is also the vice-president of the National Boxing Federation of Kyrgyzstan.

Central Asia Tajikistan Justice Justice Tajikistan International Affairs International Affairs Tajikistan

Charges Reclassified for Defendants in Crocus Terror Attack Case

The charges against the four defendants in the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack case have been reclassified, lawyer Alexander Yarin has told Russia's state-owned TASS news agency. “Aminchon and Dilovar Islomov, their father Isroil Islomov, and Alisher Kasimov are now charged under Part 3 of Article 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code,” Yarin stated. Previously, the defendants were charged under paragraph “b” of Part 3 of Article 205 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to a terrorist act resulting in a fatality. The updated charges now reflect involvement in actions that facilitated the commission of a terrorist act. As previously reported by TCA, the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, located on the outskirts of Moscow, resulted in 144 fatalities and 551 injuries. The incident has created a climate of fear among Central Asian migrants living in Russia. In the aftermath of the attack, Tajik migrants have faced a surge of hostility and aggression, further exacerbating tensions within the migrant community.

Central Asia Justice Kazakhstan Local Politics Kazakhstan Justice Local Politics Business & Economy Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Business & Economy

AI Facial Recognition System Being Tested in Two Cities in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has launched a national video monitoring system powered by artificial intelligence technologies. The project, developed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Security Committee, and the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry, aims to enhance surveillance capabilities across key locations in the country. The system is designed to recognize faces, detect abandoned objects, capture offenses, and identify vehicles by make, model, and color. Critical sites such as railway stations, airports, hotels, streets, intersections, and shopping malls are priority areas for implementation. During the World Nomad Games in Astana, the technology was reportedly instrumental in locating lost children and missing persons. Authorities also noted that the system helped detain 46 wanted individuals in Astana and 30 in Almaty. Proponents argue that these technologies could contribute to improving public safety and reducing crime. Kazakhstan’s initiative follows a broader global trend of integrating AI into “smart city” systems, similar to developments in China, Russia, and some European countries. Officials say the system will be expanded with additional cameras nationwide to increase monitoring coverage. To date, more than 1.3 million video cameras have been installed in Kazakhstan, with 310,000 of them connected to operational control centers and police duty stations. Advocates of the system highlight its potential to deter crime and bolster public security, although concerns about privacy and misuse of surveillance technology have been raised internationally. Worldwide, AI video surveillance systems are being adopted to improve law enforcement and public safety. In China, they are used for facial recognition to track criminals and prevent offenses. Russia has integrated AI into its video systems to detect potential threats, while in the UK, intelligent cameras are used for crowd management and event security. While supporters emphasize the benefits of such systems in enabling faster responses to incidents and reducing crime, the deployment of AI in surveillance has sparked ongoing debates over privacy, civil liberties, and the potential for misuse.