KHUJAND, September 22, 2011, Asia-Plus -- A prosecutor in the trial of the BBC correspondent Urunboy Usmonov asked the Sughd regional court on September 21 to find Usmonov guilty of complicity under Article 36 (5) and organization of activity of extremist group under Article 307 (2) and sentence him to five years in prison with subsequent amnesty.

The defense, however, opposed the charges and asked the court to discharge the journalist.

Usmonov’s defense lawyer, Ms. Fayzinisso Vohidova, stated that detention of Usmonov and all actions used against Urunboy Usmonov during the preliminary investigation were illegal.

According to her, the prosecution failed to produce any evidence supporting “Usmonov’s involvement in the extremist Hizb ut-Tahrir party and his complicity in that crime.”  “Moreover, inadmissible methods were used against the journalist and signs of beating were seen on his border after his detention on June 13,” the lawyer said.

She also asked the court to institute criminal proceedings against Eraj Davlatov, the head of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS)’s office in Bobojonghafurov district, under the provisions of Article 316 (misuse of powers) and Article 358 (illegal detention).

We will recall that four suspected Hizb-ut-Tahrir members -- Abdunabi Abduqodirov, Ibrohimbek Mahmoudov, Talat Mavlonov and Yahyokhon Rahmonkhojayev – are in the dock along with Urunboy Usmonov.

The prosecutor asked for prison sentences between 23 and 25 years for them.

The Sughd regional court opened the trial against Urunboy Usmonov and four suspected Hizb-ut-Tahrir members at investigation isolation prison No. 2 (SIZO) in Khujand on August 16, 2011.

Urunboy Usmonov accused of associating with banned Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir denies the charges, saying any meetings he had with Hizb ut-Tahrir members were for purely journalistic purposes.  The reporter said he had interviewed some members of the banned group as part of his work reporting on the region, where Hizb ut-Tahrir is active.

Usmonov''s arrest on June 13 was condemned by international media and rights advocates as a censorship attempt.  The reporter''s relatives said he was beaten while in custody.  Usmonov was released on bail a month after his arrest pending the trial.