War or Fighting

Troubles Spread In Uzbekistan

(16 May 2005)

The Foreign Office (FCO) is advising against all non-essential travel to Andizhan and Kara-Su in eastern Uzbekistan. Violence erupted in Andizhan over the weekend following the arrest of 23 Muslim businessmen who the government accused of religious extremism. An armed gang stormed a prison and a military unit freeing inmates including many political prisoners. Demonstrators, who were apparently unarmed, took to the streets and were shot at by the army who tried to retake control of the city. Eyewitness accounts claim that hundreds may have died. A suspected suicide bomber was also shot dead outside the Israeli Embassy in Tashkent on May 13. The trouble has now spread to Korasuv where protesters have taken control of certain government buildings. The situation remains very tense and further outbreaks of violence may occur.