USA: The hunger strike of Uzbek opposition leaders in Washington DC is continued
On August 11 the representatives of the Birdamlik opposition movement continued the protest in the capital of USA. Ferghana.Ru reported earlier that in the morning of August 10, 2009 the organization members started open-ended hunger strike in front of Radio Liberty headquarters in Washington (District of Columbia) with the demand to abolish the censorship of Uzbek service of Radio Liberty – Radio Ozodlik – and offer air time for all the leaders of Uzbek political opposition, residing both in Uzbekistan and abroad.
The management of Liberty Radio produced no response. On contrary, the law enforcement bodies showed interest to the protests of Uzbek opposition members in the morning of August 11.
Washington, DC, August 11, 2009. Police
"At first firemen showed up and inquired about the situation here. Later on, police arrived and presented the ultimatum to leave the territory, adjacent to the headquarters at 1201 Connecticut Street. When we announced our desire to continue protests they threatened to arrest us. We said we were going to continue hunger strike in jail. The police officers leaved soon", Bakhodir Choriev, the leader of Birdamlik, shared in the telephone interview from Washington, DC.
Protest in Washington, DC
According to the protesters, there has been no response from the Liberty Radio management yet. "Everyone uses back entrance, avoiding meeting us", Mr. Choriev noted.
So far the web-sites of Liberty Radio and Uzbek service Radio Ozodlik give no comments to the meeting of the opposition members.
Today, we learned that Abdurakhim Pulatov, the leader of Birlik (Unity) Uzbek opposition party-in-exile, joined the protest; however, he is not taking direct participation in the hunger strike.
Abdurakhim Pulatov in centre
Speaking of the protests in Prague and Stockholm, they are indefinitely postponed.
Today, all the members of the open-ended hunger strike, including 11 year old boy, feel good. Yadgar Turlibekov, which felt sick earlier, is still there.
Pictures are offered by Bakhodir Choriev