You are viewing a single comment's thread.

view the rest of the comments →

0
0

[–] ArsCortica [S] ago 

Commentary: Although Karimov was by no means the most benevolent of rulers (with Amnesty International reporting that state authorities regularly make use of

" torture and other ill-treatment to suppress dissent, combat actual or perceived security threats, repress political opponents, extract confessions and incriminating information, and intimidate or punish detainees and prisoners and their families "

his death could mean even more trouble for the country, as Karimov has left no designated political heir and the political oppression in Uzbekistan means that there are no opposition parties to fill the power void, either. Even worse, conservative Islamic elements might attempt to use Karimov's death as a chance to increase their influence in the hitherto relatively secular Muslim nation, and militant Islamists may attempt to move into the country via its southern border to Afghanistan.