Uzbek authorities have put 61-year old well-known Uzbek human rights defender Ganikhon Mamatkhonov in an isolation ward on the eve of his long-awaited release from the penal colony on March 10, 2014.

The human rights activist has been serving a 4.5 year sentence as a result of fabricated criminal case against him for his human rights activities. Ganikhon Mamatkhonov is considered a political prisoner; therefore his case requires special attention.

Fiery Hearts Club international human rights organization condemns putting famous Uzbek human rights activist Ganikhon Mamatkhonov in an isolation ward, and believes that the Uzbek authorities purposefully made such a step to extend the prison sentence of the human rights activist accusing him of alleged disobedience of rules of the administration penal institutions (Article 221 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan).

It is known that Article 221 of the Penal Code is often used by the Uzbek authorities to fabricate new criminal cases against undesirable prisoners from among representatives of the civil society and prisoners of conscience to extend their terms of imprisonment and further isolation from the society.

Often multiple punishment of prisoners by keeping them in isolation wards based on trumped up charges precede fabrication of new criminal cases against prisoners under Article 221. Placing prisoners in solitary confinement also serves as the official reason for rejecting annual amnesty. The Uzbek authorities and prison administrations often put political prisoners in solitary confinement and then fabricate new criminal case under Article 221 in order not to grant them amnesty or not to release them even after they have served their sentences.

We are confident that a similar scenario is used against Ganikhon Mamathonov. Otherwise, it is hard to believe that the experienced human rights activist who knows that the authorities use article 221 would deliberately disobey the administration of the penal colony to get into an isolation ward on the eve of his release.

Ganikhon Mamatkhonov, the representative of the International Organization for protection of individual rights in Fergana province, was arrested on October 9, 2009 after money was planted into his bag. Attempts of the human rights defender to avoid provocation and throw the money away were unsuccessful. During hasty trials, the human rights activist was convicted under parts 2 and 3 of Article 168 (Fraud), and parts 1 and of Article 211 (Bribery) of the Criminal Code, and was sentenced to five years in prison.

The Court of Appeal of Ferghana province reduced the sentence to 4 years and 5 months. According to independent observers and fellow human rights activist, who observed the trials, the public prosecution failed to prove the guilt of the human rights activist.

His colleagues considered his arrest a proof that the authorities are trying to hide obvious problems existing in the field of human rights by means of intimidation or censure of those, who dare to speak about such problems.

Ganikhon Mamatkhonov was one of the most active fighters for the rights of farmers and victims of forced child labor. He was one of the few remaining active defenders in the Fergana province. His open criticisms were often reported by international media and broadcasted on radio. Media controlled by the Uzbek security services often distorted Ganikhon Mamatkhonov’s letters to the president of the country as well as his statements made through independent media. The human rights activist was accused of defamation and spreading false facts.

It is very sad that Ganikhon Mamatkhonov, who often fought against corruption among local officials in the Fergana province, who helped victims of corruption and government extortion, who publicly criticized the government’s policy in this area, was convicted on the given charge.

Local authority in the Fergana province brought trumped-up criminal charges against the human rights activist out of revenge for his disclosure of their corrupt activities. It is noteworthy that the human rights activist was arrested on the eve of the forthcoming visit of Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov to the Ferghana province. Probably local officials did not want disclosures of the human rights defender about corrupt practices of the local authorities to reach the national government in Tashkent.

A few weeks before his arrest, Ganikhon Mamatkhonov informed Mutabar Tadjibayeva, the head of “Fiery Hearts Club”international human rights organization, about growing provocations against him by the local authorities for his human rights activities related to protection of victims of corrupt practices, recipients of state social payments, ATM card holders, farmers and unemployed people.

The setup of civil society activists by planting money in order to accuse them of extortion and fabricate criminal cases against them is considered a popular and well-known method of struggle against imaginary ‘enemies of the state’ in Uzbekistan. By means of this method, the Uzbek authorities have sent to jail several dozens of human rights defenders in the past few years. Guilt of imprisoned human rights defenders has not been proven in the court.

The health status of human rights defender Ganikhon Mamatkhonov causes concerns. Before the verdict, he had suffered two heart attacks. The third heart attack occurred when he was under arrest.

Instead of being released, Ganikhon Mamatkhonov appeared in an isolation ward. This fact suggests that despite the end of his sentence, the Uzbek authorities are preparing to isolate the brave human rights defender from the society for many years by fabricating a new criminal case against him under Article 221 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan.

We call the international community, international institutions not to be silent, not to remain indifferent to the fate of Ganikhon Mamatkhonov, a real human rights fighter. The Uzbek authorities should not be allowed to deal with one more human rights activist by putting him into jail for many years. Even being not guilty, he has served his full sentence and deserves immediate release. Do not ignore the fate of Ganikhon Mamatkhonov.

We urge Western diplomatic missions in Tashkent to call the Uzbek authorities to immediately release human rights activist Ganikhon Mamatkhonov, who is seriously sick. We must not allow another Uzbek human rights activist slowly die behind bars.

Mutabar Tadjibayeva,

Head of “Fiery Hearts Club”

International human rights organization