Czech decision on extradition is test of western preferences - Uzbek dissident


Czech news agency CTK
December 11

Uzbek dissident Mohammed Solih regards his arrest in Prague as a sort of bureaucratic mistake or confusion and he told journalists today at a press conference after his release that he is not angry at anyone.

Solih said that the decision of Czech authorities about his extradition to Uzbekistan would set a precedent. It would show whether the West preferred dictatorial regimes in Central Asia or whether it sided with democracy. "For democracy in Central Asia it will be more than my life, it will be their life," he added.

The US struggle against terrorism has fulfilled [Uzbek President Islam] Karimov's long-standing wish to become a US friend, Solih said. Now the USA and Uzbekistan are cooperating in the struggle against terrorists in Afghanistan. However, if US President George Bush wants to destroy terrorism with its roots, he has to do away with dictatorial regimes as well, Solih said. "We can show him where the roots are lying. They are lying in dictatorial governments," he added.