Uzbekistan: Political prisoner Murad Djuraev is forced to backbreaking labour

The ailing 61years old political prisoner Murad Djuraev is forced to work in the production of bricks. This exercise resulted in the deterioration of his health - he often faints from high blood pressure.

On 7 October 2013, Murad Djuraev’s wife Holbika Djuraeva, returned from an extended prison visitation of her husband. "I suffer and feel helpless that I cannot save my husband from this endless challenge" - she says.

Murad Djuraev was born in 1952 in the town of Mubarak of Kashkadarya region. He is ethnic Turkmen, married and has three children. He graduated from the Tashkent Polytechnic Institute. Between 1989 and 1992 he worked as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the City Council of the town of Mubarek. Between 1991-1992 he was a member of Parliament of Uzbekistan.

He was accused of conspiring with the leader of the opposition political party "Erk" Muhammad Salih. According to the authorities, they wanted to organise a violent seizure of power.

Murad Djuraev has been in prison since 18 September 1994. He was sentenced to imprisonment for five consecutive times. The first sentence was 12 year, but it was reduced to 9 years under an amnesty. After that not a single amnesty was applied to his case. The following three terms under Article 221 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (Disobedience to Legitimate Orders of Administration of Institution of Execution of Penalty) in total added up to another 9 years. On 4 December 2012 Murad Djuraev was sentenced to three years and 24 days of imprisonment, again, under Article 221 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan. His family recons that there is no ground to hope that Djuraev will be released.

 Murad Djuraev still rejects any suggestions to apply for a pardon to Islam Karimov.

  * * *

According to Holbika Djuraeva, his physical condition is very poor. Murad Djuraev often faints as a result of high blood pressure. Purulent discharge from his nose and throat began to intensify. After the meal he suffers pain in his stomach, doctors explained that this was caused by lack of teeth. Recently, the organisation "Freedom Now" provided financial support for Murad Djurayev to get dentures. The prison administration has given permission to visit a dental technician.