Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from October, 2011
Uzbekistan: Uzbeks extradited from Kazakhstan get long prison terms
Avicenna reports that three of the 28 ethnic Uzbeks who were extradited from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan in June, were sentenced to different prison terms, with the longest being 15 years.
Kazakhstan: Online TV website shut down
Tomyris writes that Kazakhstan’s opposition news website Stan-TV was shut down by the court decision; it was ordered to close the production studio and dismantle its broadcasting equipment. The formal reason for closure is supposedly a failure to comply with the standards of Kazakhstan’s public health inspection agency.
Turkmenistan: Journalist sentenced, goes to jail
Tomyris reports that Turkmen journalist Dovletmyrat Yazkuliyev, who worked for the RFE/RL’s Turkmen language service, has been sentenced to 5 years in prison after only a 2 day hearing, allegedly for influencing his relative to attempt to commit suicide.
Afghanistan: Cost of UK military involvement
Nick Fielding writes that, according to a research paper published by the UK House of Commons, the nation's expenditure in Afghanistan totalled £3.774 billion in 2010-11.
Azerbaijan: Easy travel with e-visas
Aaron in Azerbaijan updates readers on a positive development in Azerbaijan ahead of next year's Eurovision Song Contest to be held in the capital, Baku. The blog says that making visas available online as well as at the airport will be a good way to promote tourism, ease travel, and...
Armenia: Steve Jobs’ Armenian connection and an obituary
Ianyan posts its own obituary to Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder, who died yesterday. The blog says that Jobs revolutionized the way we use personal computers and mobile telephones while also detailing his adoption by an ethnic Armenian mother. Meanwhile, another Armenian blog, Unzipped, says thank you to the visionary innovator.
Azerbaijan: Down for the count?
Tamada Tales comments on remarks made by a senior member of the ruling government party in Azerbaijan in response to allegations made by the BBC that a senior official tried to bribe the oil-rich country's way to two gold medals for boxing in next year's Olympic Games to be held...
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