Journalists in Trouble Newsletter
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill that obliges foreign IT companies to set up local units or face penalties including a possible ban, as Moscow continues to try and tighten its control over the flow of information on the Internet. The bill, signed by Putin on July 1 and placed on the official website for legal information, requires foreign IT companies with a daily audience of at least 500,000 people to set up full-fledged branches in Russia that would be responsible for violations of Russian legislation.
INCIDENTS AND THREATS
Belarusian journalist Andrey Alyaksandrau, who was arrested in January amid an ongoing crackdown on media and pro-democracy activists, has been charged with high treason. Alyaksandrau and his girlfriend Iryna Zlobina were arrested on January 12 and charged with organizing and preparing activities that violate public order over unsanctioned mass rallies demanding that long-time authoritari
said he intended to appeal the conviction.
The authorities should immediately release Otabek Sattoriy, not contest his appeal, and allow all journalists to work freely and without fear of reprisal, according to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Sattoriy s conviction is a clear attempt to frighten the press away from covering sensitive issues ahead of a presidential election in October, Gulnoza Said, CPJ s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, said in a
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
said the fabricated accusations against the blogger testify to a desire to quell local corruption scandals and intimidate critical voices.
The Paris-based group noted that since his arrest in late January, Sattoriy had been ordered to pay a fine of 9.8 million soms ($931) for slander and insult in a separate case.
Uzbek Blogger Critical Of Government Gets Lengthy Prison Term
May 10, 2021 15:11 GMT
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XALQOBOD, Uzbekistan A court in Uzbekistan s southern Surxondaryo region has sentenced blogger Otabek Sattoriy to
6 1/2 years in prison in a high-profile extortion and slander case that has sparked harsh criticism of the country by domestic and international human rights groups.
The Muzrabot district court pronounced the ruling on May 10. Last week, a prosecutor asked the court to sentence the blogger to 11 years in prison.
The 40-year-old blogger faced a number of charges, including extortion and slander, which his supporters and rights defenders have characterized as retaliation by the authorities for his critical reporting.
Uzbek Prosecutor Seeks 11 Years In Prison For Blogger Critical Of Government
May 05, 2021 13:12 GMT
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XALQOBOD, Uzbekistan A prosecutor in Uzbekistan s southern Surxondaryo region has asked a court to sentence blogger Otabek Sattoriy to 11 years in prison in a high-profile extortion and slander case that has drawn harsh criticism from domestic and international human rights groups.
The prosecutor said in a statement at the Muzrabot district court during closing arguments on May 4 that Sattoriy does not deserve a mitigated punishment, since he has refused to accept blame and has not paid compensation to his alleged victims.
Sattoriy, whose trial started in March, has said that the case against him was fabricated and based on lies.
Uzbek blogger Otabek Sattoriy has pleaded not guilty to all charges at a preliminary hearing in a high-profile extortion and slander case that sparked harsh criticism of Uzbek authorities by domestic and international human rights groups earlier this year.