Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

RFE/RL Central Asia Report 30.07.2012 A review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about the five countries of Central Asia. For more stories on Central Asia, please visit and bookmark our Central Asia page .

 

Tashkent Extends Mobile Operator Ban Uzbek authorities have announced that they have extended the suspension of a Russian-owned mobile communication company's licence by a further three months. More   Police Kill 6 'Militants' In Almaty Police in Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, have reportedly killed six suspected militants who were tracked down as part of a hunt for the shooters of two police officers. More   RSF Condemn Court's Order Against Journalist International rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders has condemned a Kazakh court's decision to financially punish an opposition journalist in a controversial libel case. More   Kazakh Police Shot By Armed Group Police in Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, have reportedly surrounded an armed group in an apartment as part of a hunt for the shooters of two police officers. More   At Olympics, China's Gains Continue Inclement weather and empty seats dogged the second day of the Summer Olympic Games in London but did nothing to topple China from its spot at the top of the medals board. More   Tajik Young Militants 'Agree' To Surrender The Tajik government says a group of young fighters who were engaged in clashes with security forces have begun to lay down their arms. More   China Makes History, Phelps Disappoints Ye Shiwen and Sun Yang seized gold as China issued a challenge to U.S. supremacy in the Olympic pool on July 28 amid a day of disappointment for U.S. swimming star Michael Phelps. More   Tajik Militants 'Refuse' To Surrender Tajik prosecutors say militants who were engaged in clashes with security forces this week have refused to lay down their weapons despite a cease-fire. More   OSCE Asks Tajikistan To Unblock YouTube The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has called on Tajikistan to unblock the video-sharing website YouTube and ensure the free flow of information. More   The Som Total Of Uzdunrobita's Problems If Uzbekistan's prosecutor-general has anything to say about it, the country's largest mobile provider will not be back online for a while. More   Uzbek Human Rights Activist Slain The chairwoman of Uzbekistan’s Human Rights Alliance, Yelena Urlayeva, told RFE/RL that human rights activist Akromhoja Mukhiddinov was stabbed to death in the town of Tinchlik in the northern Tashkent province. More   Tajik-Americans Picket Washington Embassy After Badakhshan Violence About 20 Tajik-Americans have picketed Dushanbe's embassy in Washington, calling for peace in Gorno-Badakhshan Province. More   A Legacy Of The Civil War Why are government forces clashing with armed groups in Tajikistan's remote Gorno-Badakhshan province? More   Mutual Astana-Hong Kong Visa-Free Travel Agreement Comes To Power A bilateral Kazakh-Hong Kong agreement on no-visa travel came into force as of July 26. More   U.S. Representative Dan Burton On Doing Business In Central Asia Voice of America's Uzbek Service interviewed U.S. Representative Dan Burton (Republican-Indiana), the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia, about his recent trip to Central Asia and U.S. priorities there. More   Kazakh Forces Seal Off Zhanaozen Center Kazakh security forces and police have sealed off the center of the western town of Zhanaozen, amid a renewal of tensions in the town where security forces shot dead at least 16 people inst December. More   Uzbek Couple Not Guilty In Shooting A court in Sweden has found an Uzbek couple not guilty of charges they helped carry out an assassination attempt on a prominent Uzbek cleric. More   Kyrgyz Ban Controversial Song The regional court in Kyrgyzstan’s southern province of Osh has banned a controversial rap song because it allegedly incites "ethnic hatred" between ethnic Uzbeks and Kyrgyz residents. More   Wounded Tajik Troops Rushed To Hospital After Clashes Tajik servicemen stood guard at a hospital in the capital, Dushanbe, as troops wounded in an operation in Badakhshon Province were brought in for emergency treatment. At least 12 troops and 30 militants were killed in the military operation targeting a group suspected of involvement in the killing of a top security official. Video by RFE/RL's Tajik Service More   Dushanbe Declares Truce In Fighting Tajikistan's military has ended operations in the eastern province of Badakhshan. Dozens are reported to have died in fighting that broke out in the restive region following the July 21 assassination of a key regional figure. More   Bishkek Approves Law On Visa-Free Stays Officials in Kyrgyzstan say President Almazbek Atambaev has signed into law a measure clearing the way for citizens of 44 countries to stay in Kyrgyzstan visa-free for up to 60 days. More   Uzbeks Jail Kazakh Man For Extremism A court in Uzbekistan has sentenced a Kazakh citizen to five years in jail over alleged Islamic extremism. More   At Least 42 Killed In Tajik Clashes Tajik officials say 12 government troops and 30 militants have been killed as government troops, backed by helicopters, launched an operation targeting a group suspected of involvement in the killing of a top Tajik security official. More   Uzbek-Born Tennis Ace Chases Olympic Dream Under U.S. Flag In playing at the London Olympics, Varvara Lepchenko will fulfill a lifelong dream and cap a journey that began a world away in her native Uzbekistan. More   Tajik Operation Launched After General Death Tajik government forces have launched an operation in the eastern Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous province targeting a group suspected of involvement in the killing of a top officer of the State Committee for National Security. More   'At Chabysh' Festival Showcases Kyrgyz Nomadic Culture "At Chabysh" is a popular festival that celebrates Kyrgyz culture. Still a means of transportation in remote mountain areas, the horse symbolizes Kyrgyz nomadic lifestyle. More   Kyrgyz Gold Workers Suffer Food Poisoning Officials of Kyrgyzstan's major gold producer, Kumtor Operating Company, have said that more than 100 of its workers have been stricken with food poisoning. More   2 Held Over Tajik KGB Officer's Murder fficials at Tajikistan's Prosecutor-General's office say two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of a top officer of the State Committee for National Security. More