Uzbekistan starts trial of rights activist

TASHKENT, Apr 30 (Reuters) A translator for a human rights group went on trial today in an Uzbek court, accused of possessing anti-constitutional materials, Human Rights Watch told Reuters.

Umida Niyazova, who wrote news stories critical of the Uzbek government, was arrested on Jan 22 and charged with smuggling subversive literature and illegally crossing the border. If found guilty, the 32-year-old faces up to 10 years in jail.

Police did not let reporters into the trial. They said there was not enough space in the courtroom.

New York-based Human Rights Watch says her case is politically motivated and linked to articles she wrote about the killing of protestors in the Uzbek town of Andizhan in May 2005.

Following the Andizhan killings, the European Union imposed sanctions including a ban on arms sales to Uzbekistan. The measures are due to be reviewed next month and some EU member states support lifting them to improve relations with Tashkent.

Uzbekistan, an authoritarian Central Asian state, has put increasing pressure on non-governmental organisations and journalists since its troops quashed the uprising in Andizhan, killing hundreds, according to witnesses.

The Uzbek government has said only 187 people died in Andizhan, all of them either ''terrorists'' or its troops.

Human Rights Watch is the most high profile campaign group operating in Uzbekistan. Its country manager, Andrea Berg, said the trial had begun today without any forewarning to observers or the defence team.

''The lawyer was told about the start at the very last minute and she only just made it to the court in time,'' Berg said.

''Niyazova looked okay and she had prepared well for the judge's questions.'' Reuters JS DB2240