Uzbek human rights defender awarded with Story of Injustice prize

AKIPRESS.COM - Prague-based international human rights organization People in Need on October 31 awarded Story of Injustice prize to Uzbek human rights defender Agzam Turgunov. This prize is awarded during the last 15 years to persons "persecuted by totalitarian regimes."
Agzam Turgunov was awarded for "his courage in struggle against dictator's regime."
66 year-old Agzam Turgunov now defends rights of citizens in case of violation of their rights by law enforcement agencies.
Turgunov was convicted for his professional activities during Islam Karimov's presidency and was released upon Karimov's death.
He served 9 years in prison after he was found guilty of extortion of a large sum of money in 2008. He was recognized as prisoner of consciousness by international organizations.
After release Turgunov began struggling for rehabilitation of other citizens who were convicted unlawfully during Karimov's presidency. The organization he set up for this purpose has not been registered by the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan.