Uzbekistan closes CAFE's local branch in Samarkand

UzReport June 4 The trial of the Samarkand town branch of the Central Asian Free Exchange (CAFE), a US nongovernmental organization, ended at the Samarkand regional court for civil affairs, www.press-uz.info reports. A www.press-uz.info correspondent was told that the trial was initiated by the regional justice department back on 15 May 2006. However, the trial was postponed several times due to various reasons. It should be noted that, earlier, the regional court sent two written warnings to the director of the branch to eliminate violations of legislation in the activities of the organization. During the trial, the regional court announced its main claims against the organization. It said that two more CAFE branches were operating in the town of Samarkand, which were not registered with the justice department. Breaches were found in the organization's accounting. Apart from this, foreign staff members of the organization were regularly violating the rules for staying in the country and, accordingly, were fined for this. After studying all evidence, a judge of the Samarkand regional court for civil affairs announced a decision to close the branch of the Central Asian Free Exchange (CAFE) in Samarkand. Earlier Uzbek courts ruled to shut down CAFE's regional branches in Ferghana, Kokon and Nukus.