UZBEK SONGWRITER GOES ON TRIAL.
Uzbek songwriter Dadakhon Hasan went on trial in Tashkent on July 31 on charges of defaming PresidentIslam Karimov, undermining the constitution, and threatening public security and order, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reported.
Ferghana.ru reported on July 31 that Hasan was arrested after he wrote songs about the bloodshed in Andijon in May 2005; the news agency said that National Security Service (SNB) officers searched Hasan's home in April and confiscated tape recordings of Hasan's songs.
Hasan told RFE/RL that he had not distributed his work. "Some people from Bukhara played the song in a bus. I don't know how they got it," Hasan said. "[An audiotape with the song] was stolen from my car. There is apparently an article in the criminal code [that punishes the writing of] this kind of song. What can I do? Nothing."
A larger-than-expected diplomatic presence at the trial prompted the court to adjourn until August 4 while officials consider how many foreigners can attend the trial and where they can sit while court is in session. DK
