Freelance journalist from Uzbekistan Solidzhon Abdurakhmanov, in prison since 2008, was awarded a Johann Philipp Palm Prize for freedom of speech and the press.

Independent information agency Uznews.net reported on 26 August that 64-year-old imprisoned journalist from Uzbekistan Solidzhon Abdurakhmanov won a 2014 Johann Philipp Palm Prize for freedom of speech and the press. The other winner of this award was Nazeeha Saeed, a journalist from Bahrain.

“Solidzhon Abdurakhmanov is a brave critic and journalist unjustly sentenced to 10 years in prison,” said the Palm-Foundation. “He made reports about consequences of the Aral Sea desiccation.”

The official awarding ceremony will take place in Schorndorf, Germany on 30 November 2014. The award includes a EURO 10,000 cash prize.

Johann Philipp Palm Prize was created in honor of German publisher Johann Philip Palm. He was a critic of Germany’s occupation by Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops. In 1806,he published a pamphlet titled “Germany in her deep humiliation” by an anonymous pamphleteer. After some time, Palm was arrested and sentenced to death. In the hearts of Germans, Johann Philipp Palm became a hero and founder of united Germany. On the day of his execution, the Palm Foundation awards brave journalists, authors, activists fighting and suffering for freedom of speech and the media around the world.

Solidzhon Abdurakhmanov worked as a journalist for Uznews.netnews service. In addition, he was a human rights activist. He was arrested and charged with possession and distribution of big volume of drugs in 2008 in Nukus.

Despite the fact that the Court could not prove Solidzhon Abdurakhmanov was guilty, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Authoritative international human rights organizations have stated that the case against the journalist was fabricated.

Until today, the Karshi prison administration, where Solidzhon Abdurakhmanov serves his sentence, accused the journalist of various violations and repeatedly placed him in a punishment cell. This way, the Uzbek authorities prevents release of the journalist under amnesty for several years.

“Jarayon”congratulates Solidzhon Abdurakhmanov on the prestigious Johann Philipp Palm Prize for freedom of speech and the press,and wishes him soonest release from the Uzbek prison.

Jarayon