Top Uzbek fugitive arrested in Southern Kazakhstan

RFE/RL November 28 A top Islamic extremist suspect from Uzbekistan has been arrested in southern Kazakhstan, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reported. Ruhiddin Fakhriddinov -- a former Tashkent imam -- has been on the run since 1998. He is accused of leading the Tashkent branch of the militant Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. His father, Fazliddin, confirmed his son's detention in an interview with RFE/RL's Uzbek Service. He denies his son has been involved in any militant activity. Uzbek President Islam Karimov's government has drawn strong international criticism over alleged abuses in its crackdown on dissident Muslims who practice Islam outside state-run institutions. Meanwhile, lawyers for an arrested Uzbek opposition leader are accusing authorities of denying them access to their client and refusing to allow him to undergo an independent medical exam. Sanjar Umarov, who leads the Sunshine opposition group, was arrested in October for alleged tax evasion and embezzlement. Umarov's wife and aides allege that he is being drugged.