Freedom for Eurasia urgently calls for the immediate release of Karakalpak human rights defender Saadatdin Reimov due to severe health concerns and mistreatment in detention.
Saadatdin Reimov, currently held in Penal Colony No. 34 in Kamashi district, Kashkadarya region, has experienced significant health issues during his imprisonment. Reimov, 57, recently suffered partial paralysis on the left side of his body, suggesting a possible stroke. This incident follows a series of medical emergencies, including a heart attack in April 2024 and a coma in July 2024. He had a ruptured appendix, which was operated on without anesthesia.
At the moment Saadatdin Reimov is constantly experiencing high blood pressure. He suffers from this condition every day. In the mornings, he wakes up with a severe headache and feels completely exhausted. Despite his critical condition, the prison administration has consistently denied him proper medical care. Moreover, the conditions in the prison where Saadatdin Reimov is held are inhumane. The facility lacks clean drinking water and a heating system, making it a harsh environment for anyone, let alone someone with Reimov’s health condition. These conditions are unbearable even for young, healthy persons, but given Reimov’s age and serious health issues, the prison is effectively condemning him to daily suffering. His current situation is a matter of life and death, as his health continues to decline without the proper care he urgently needs.
When Saadatdin Reimov contacted the authorities, he was instructed to write to the colony’s chief, who would then send the request along with other documents to the Main Directorate for Execution of Sentences (GUIN). Reimov complied and submitted his request, which was signed by the chief and passed on to the head of the operations department for processing. Reimov has tirelessly pursued administrative channels to seek a transfer to a facility in Karakalpakstan, submitting 13 formal requests, all of which have been denied. His attempts to obtain a registration number for his latest application have been met with bureaucratic obstacles, including claims of lost documents and lack of acknowledgement from prison officials.
Under Article 75 of the Criminal Code and Article 165 of the Penal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, inmates suffering from severe illnesses are eligible for release from serving the remainder of their sentence. Given Reimov’s serious health condition and the lack of adequate medical attention, immediate release is essential to ensure he receives appropriate treatment in a medical facility.
Freedom for Eurasia urges the Uzbek authorities to act with humanity and respect for human rights by immediately releasing Saadatdin Reimov. This action aligns with national legislation and international human rights standards, ensuring Reimov’s right to life and health is upheld.
Saadatdin Reimov is a Karakalpak human rights activist and political prisoner in Uzbekistan. He was sentenced to four years in prison on December 19, 2022, following his arrest after the unrest in early July of the same year. Although the specific charges are not fully detailed, they likely involve accusations of calling for an illegal change in the state system and related activities. His family has faced persecution, with authorities refusing to issue biometric passports to his wife and son, preventing them from leaving Karakalpakstan in order to attend international human rights meetings.
