Jehovah’s Witnesses

For Immediate Release
November 11, 2002

Prosecution of Jehovah’s Witness turns into religious debate in Uzbekistan court

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan—On November 8, 2002, State criminal investigator Hamit Haidarov told Judge Sherzod Usmanov of the Akmal Ikramovskiy Court that the religious beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses are against the Uzbekistan Constitution because the Witnesses believe only in the Bible. Haidarov was testifying at the criminal trial of 26-year-old Marat Mudarisov, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, who has been imprisoned since July 19 on charges of inciting religious hatred.

Haidarov told the Court: “You can explain religion only by four books, the gospels of the New Testament, the Torah, the Psalms of the Bible, and the Koran. Jehovah’s Witnesses say they only believe in the Bible.” He added: “The Koran is the last Holy Book, and it explains everything.”

“This case is not about criminal acts,” said associate defense attorney Rustam Satdanov, “rather, my client is being prosecuted for his religious beliefs. Haidarov complains that Jehovah’s Witnesses believe they have the true religion. Many adherents of Islam, Orthodoxy and other religions say the same. Article 31 of the Uzbekistan Constitution protects freedom of religious conscience; it does not prohibit it.”

Investigator Haidarov testified that “the Constitution states it is the duty of everyone to serve in the army,” but defense attorney Arli Chimirov noted: “Article 52 of the Constitution provides for the right of alternative service. . . . Furthermore, international law recognizes the right to conscientious objection and Uzbekistan’s Constitution acknowledges the primacy of these norms.” Mudarisov had explained that he had a conscientious religious objection to military service.

Investigator Haidarov is to continue his testimony at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 13, 2002.

Contact: J. R. Brown, telephone: (718) 560-5600