Freedom for Eurasia has received alarming reports that Saadatdin Reimov was recently attacked by dogs within the prison grounds. Following the incident, Reimov developed a fever, and given his already fragile health, he was hospitalized. He is currently undergoing treatment and receiving rabies vaccinations , the cost of which demanded be paid by his family.
Reimov, 57, was sentenced to four years in prison in December 2022 under Article 159(1) for alleged “anti-state activities” in connection with the July 2022 unrest in Karakalpakstan. Human rights groups widely view these charges as politically motivated, stemming from his longstanding advocacy for Karakalpak cultural and political rights.
Since his incarceration, Reimov’s health has drastically deteriorated. In April 2024, he suffered a heart attack. In July 2024, he fell into a coma following a ruptured appendix, which was operated on without anesthesia. He later developed partial paralysis on his left side, suggesting a possible stroke. Despite the severity of these conditions, prison authorities have consistently denied him adequate medical care – flouting both Uzbekistan’s legal obligations and international human rights norms.
In addition to medical neglect, Reimov has reportedly faced intimidation and coercion. Sources indicate he has been pressured to deliver false confessions in Uzbek – a language which is not his native under threat of torture. These efforts appear aimed at forcing him to admit guilt and to dissuade him from engaging with international human rights organizations.
Reimov’s family has also been subjected to state persecution. In 2023 his son was arrested and later released, while in July 2024, Uzbek authorities denied biometric passports to both his wife and son, preventing them from attending human rights conferences abroad, including the OSCE Human Dimension Conference in Warsaw. These measures seem designed to isolate Reimov and his family and suppress external advocacy.
Given the ongoing abuse, life-threatening health risks, and clear eligibility for early release under Article 75 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code and Article 165 of the Penal Code, Freedom for Eurasia is urgently calling for Reimov’s immediate and unconditional release.
