FREE UZBEK JOURNALIST BOBOMUROD ABDULLAEV!
Bobomurod Abdullaev, an Uzbek journalist and researcher, is an intellectual who conducts research, prepares publications, and shares his assessments of current developments with the public. As a journalist, he has worked for international press organizations such as the Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Turkistan Press, and the Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations. He has his own websites, blogs, and YouTube channels where he shares investigative reports and analyses. His publications cover news sharing, case commentary and analysis within the scope of freedom of speech and freedom of expression.
Bobomurod Abdullaev is a well-known figure in Uzbekistan, Asia and the Turkic Republics. He writes articles, conducts research, and produces intellectual and artistic works to contribute to the progress of Uzbekistan as a more prosperous country. His main focus is on researching the traditions of the ancient Turkic states, updating the achievements and political sciences derived from Turkic traditions, and applying them to the present and future of the Turkic republics. As part of these efforts, he is working on a book about a state model and constitution in line with the ancient Turkic tradition. He is also conducting a special political dictionary project in Oghuz Turkish that translates current political concepts and institutions into the terminology of the ancient Turkic tradition. Another of his works aims to bring to the present the stories of heroes among the Turks who traveled and lived from the Far East to Alaska. These scientific works are eagerly awaited in academic circles. Through his book projects, writings and video presentations, Bobomurod Abdullaev advocates for an ideal country based on human rights, justice and faith, free from ideological or sectarian propaganda and influences, especially in his own country, Uzbekistan, and in the Turkic Republics. Due to his publications and criticism of Islam Karimov's government in Uzbekistan, he was arrested in 2017 and faced a trial. During his detention in Uzbekistan, he was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture and ill-treatment. He was persecuted as a thought criminal solely because of his work as a journalist and his expressions of opinion. This situation was reflected in the international community, and he was later released.
Abdullaev lived in Germany for a while due to his opposition identity, which made it impossible for him to practice his profession as described above in Uzbekistan. In 2022, he came to Turkey to be with his children who are studying there. In order to continue to reside legally in Turkey, he applied for a shortterm residence permit at the Eskişehir Provincial Immigration Office on February 9, 2023. Although he was informed that his application was accepted, he did not receive a residence permit card for a long time. As a result, he submitted an application to the Eskişehir Provincial Immigration Department on April 24, 2023. During the application process, he was detained at the Eskişehir Provincial Immigration Office and the Eskişehir Provincial Police Directorate without being informed of the reasons for his detention.
On April 26, 2023, he was forcibly taken to the deportation center in İzmir. It was reported that "deportation and administrative supervision" decisions" were taken against him without any concrete justification. The administrative supervision procedure and deportation decisions were made without concrete justification, which is illegal under both Turkish law and international law.
Bobomurod Abdullaev, through his lawyers, appealed to the court against the surveillance decision issued by the İzmir Provincial Immigration Department and demanded his immediate release. He also filed separate lawsuits against the deportation and restriction decisions in Eskişehir and Ankara.
The reasons why Bobomurod Abdullaev was subjected to these procedures by the Turkish authorities have not yet been clarified. However, the aforementioned applications referred to the human rights situation in Uzbekistan and the possibility that he could be tortured and the right to life and a fair trial violated if he were deported to Uzbekistan.
Indeed, Uzbekistan under the rule of Islam Karimov was a period of severe persecution characterized by isolation from the outside world. Many people lost their lives to torture and oppression. The torture in prisons, the lack of any intellectual, political, or religious freedom, the application of strict rules, and the severe repression of people who spoke out were documented in human rights reports and covered extensively by respected international media. Violations are reported to continue under the new regime.
Journalist Abdullaev is also a victim who has suffered from these tortures.
Abdullaev's family, lawyers, human rights organizations, the Turkish Ministry of Interior and the Turkish judiciary urgently demand and expect the immediate release of Bobomurod and the cancelation of the illegal procedures.
Bobomurod Abdullaev is being held in poor conditions at the İzmir Harmandalı Removal Center. Abdullaev suffers from hypertension and therefore needs to take medication regularly. He also requires medication for health problems resulting from the severe torture he experienced in Uzbekistan. However, since his detention at the Harmandalı Removal Center, he has not received the medication he needs. His health needs, such as access to healthy food and hygiene, are not being met. The unjust detention and the environment in which he is held have also contributed to his psychological distress and stress, worsening his condition.
Abdullaev, whose freedom has been unlawfully restricted, has stated that he was forced to agree to deportation by officials at the removal center in İzmir. Both he and his lawyers have explicitly stated in writing that his deportation poses a risk to his right to life and therefore cannot be carried out under national and international law. Despite the fact that a court has stopped his deportation through the lawsuit filed by his lawyers, these coercion attempts continue.
Abdullaev, who has not been charged with any crime and is not under investigation, is being unlawfully detained as if he were being punished and his freedom is being restricted. There is no risk of flight or disappearance in his case. Since Abdullaev has a permanent residence, he could be released with alternative conditions such as a travel ban and judicial supervision.
For Bobomurod Abdullaev's health condition, the unity of his family, and the principles prohibiting deportation, it is obvious that he cannot be deported and that he faces torture and life-threatening risks if deported. We call on the Turkish and international public to review the practices and detention conditions at the İzmir deportation center, urgently release journalist Bobomurod Abdullaev, and revoke the deportation decision.
This press release was issued by the family and lawyers of Bobomurod Abdullaev on May 29, 2023.
For contact:
Kamola Kodiriy (Bobomurod Abdullaev's daughter kemalya4573@gmail.com)
Gülden Sönmez (Lawyer +90 5335817854 sonmezgulden@gmail.com)