death penalty news April 14, 2005
UZBEKISTAN: Uzbekistan Executes Man Despite UN Appeal An Uzbek human rights group says authorities there executed a prisoner last month, despite a United Nations appeal to suspend the death penalty because of torture concerns. The head of the group "Mothers Against Execution and Torture," Tamara Chikunova, says the 25-year-old prisoner Akhrorkhodzha Tolipkhodzhayev was executed by a firing squad after being found guilty of murdering two teenagers. Ms. Chikunova says there was evidence that the man's charges were not proven at the trial, and that his confession was extracted under torture. Uzbekistan's autocratic government has long been accused of human rights abuses, including torture in detention centers and prisons. Amnesty International said recently that at least 6,000 political prisoners, including dozens of women, are being held in degrading conditions in Uzbekistan. (source: VOA News.com)
