Uzbekistan launched criminal case against Counterpart International

UzReport May 26 A criminal case has been launched against officials of the Uzbek representative office of the US nongovernmental organization, Counterpart International, Tashkent city prosecutor's office said. "A criminal case has been instituted against the representative office for being engaged in publishing activities without a licence," the prosecutor's office said. Tashkent civil court issued a judgment that called for the liquidation of Counterpart International's representative office in Uzbekistan on 4 May. As earlier reported, the Justice Ministry of Uzbekistan submitted application on 1 May to the Tashkent civil court to consider shutting down the representative office of the US non-governmental organization Counterpart International. The Justice Ministry said Counterpart International had been systematically violating laws of the country and its own charter. The staff of its representative office has been not only setting up but also heading local NGOs, publishing and distributing printed materials without a licence. They also refused to present financial documents on their activities to the authorities.