It was proved during the trial that they were responsible for taking more than 50 lives and inflicting various types of injury on over 200 people.

Leader of the so-called Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Tohir Yoldoshev [known as Tohir Yoldosh] and Jumaboy Khojiyev [known as Juma Namangoniy] were sentenced to death.

The other 10 persons were given prison sentences of 12 to 20 years in a maximum security prison. The verdict also envisages seizure of their property.

The trial at the republic's Supreme Court was special because the nine terrorists and their leaders were tried in absentia because they remain at large on the territory of different foreign countries. The masterminds of the criminal group - Tohir Yoldoshev, Jumaboy Khojiyev and Salay Madaminov [known as Mohammad Solih] - were absent from the court session.

Top

"The defendants Mahmudov, Abduvohidov and Shukurov can apply to the court of appeal within 10 days after they receive a copy of the verdict, the rest of the accused can do that within 10 days after the verdict is announced in the media, and defence lawyers and prosecutors may do the same within 10 days after the day on which the verdict is announced... In line with Article 473 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Republic of Uzbekistan, those of the accused who were sentenced to death have the right to appeal for clemency," the report said.

Top

Officials earlier said heavy unseasonal rains in autumn had hit the crop, which was likely to fall to 3.2 million tonnes as compared to the 2000 target of 3.9 million.

The rains came after a summer of blistering heat and the worst drought in a century. Of the 1.4 million hectares of cotton sown, 30,000 hectares perished because of a lack of water, particularly in the desert Karakalpakstan region.

The Central Asian state produced 3.6 million tonnes of raw cotton last year, giving a cotton fibre output of 1.02 million tonnes. Cotton exports were valued at $883.7 million last year, or 27 percent of total export earnings

Top

The sitting held a comprehensive discussion on the issue and agreed on the committee's future programme of action in this area. Those attending the meeting also focused on cooperation between the Women's Committee, local neighbourhoods and religious organizations to improve the social environment and prevent religious fanaticism. The main emphasis was put on organizing a broad public campaign to instil a national identity in people.

The sitting acknowledged the need for the Women's Committee to step up its work to restore the country spiritually and democratically, implement the fundamental reforms underway in the republic, develop a new way of thinking in women and promote their resistance to the ideology of despotism and fanaticism, as well as seeing that they cherish our national values.

The meeting also looked at shortcomings in the committee's work with women and young people to boost a healthy social and spiritual environment in local neighbourhoods.

In their reports to the sitting, the chairwomen of the Committee's branches in [the eastern] Namangan and [the central] Syrdarya Regions reported on the progress made with implementing the Soghlom Avlod [Healthy Generation] state programme in the Regions they are responsible for. The meeting also made recommendations on all issues it had discussed.

Top