The BBC World Service's Assignment program did a compelling piece on the Andijan massacre. Last May, the Uzbekistan regime put on trial 23 businessmen accused of religious extremism. Thousands of people took to the streets in the eastern town of Andijan in an unprecedented protest against these alleged show trials and against the dictatorship in general The Uzbek regime claimed that these protesters were trying to forment an Islamic revolution and insecurity forces rioted attacked the protesters. They claimed that the protests were "a group of criminals" trying to overthrow the government. The regime claimed that only 9 died, all extremists; most news organizations believe hundreds were massacred, including women and children.
I know I promised this week to take a week long break from such entries but this show was good and the audio will only be available online for a week.
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