UZBEKISTAN

MAY 13, 2005
Posted: May 17, 2005

Shamil Baygin, Reuters
Galima Bukharbayeva, Institute for War and Peace Reporting

HARASSED

Uzbek authorities detained and expelled journalists covering civil unrest in the northeastern city of Andijan.

Shamil Baygin, a Reuters correspondent, and Galima Bukharbayeva, a correspondent for the London-based Institute for War and Peace Reporting, were detained by Andijan police late on May 13 and released on May 14. They left Andijan on May 14, fearing retaliation by Uzbek security services, the information Web site Fergana.ru reported.

Bukharbayeva reported on May 13 that troops in front of the Andijan administration building were shooting indiscriminately at protesting civilians, including women and children. A bullet pierced the backpack Bukharbayeva carried on her back, but she was uninjured, Fergana.ru said.