Theologian's son arrested but released - Uzbek ministry

Interfax May 17 Uzbekistan's Interior Ministry said on Tuesday that Abdulkuddus Mirzayev, son of well-known Islamic theologian Abduvali-kori Mirzayev, was arrested on May 14 but released. "Abdulkuddus Mirzayev, son of the theologian Abduvali-kori, was detained on May 14 by officers of the Interior Department of Andizhan region due to the fact that there are criminal proceedings in progress against him and other members of a banned extremist organization. After an initial investigation, he was made to sign an obligation to behave appropriately and was let go home," the ministry press service told Interfax. The service said that earlier Abdulkuddus Mirzayev and other activists of his organization were charged in absentia with offenses against a Criminal Code article that criminalizes the creation of religious extremist, separatist, and fundamentalist organizations, leadership of such organizations, and participation in them. The reason for the in absentia charges was that the suspects were absent from their places of permanent residence, the press service said. Arrest warrants were issued for them. "In view of the fact that Mirzayev has a permanent place of residence, that he has not been prosecuted before, and that he has junior children, it was decided to replace his [stay in custody] with a written obligation to behave appropriately," the press service said.