Uzbekistan laid strongman President Islam Karimov to rest on September 3 amid tight security, after his death triggered the deepest period of uncertainty in the country’s post-Soviet history with no clear successor in view.
Advertisement
Mr Karimov’s coffin was displayed in a city square for people to pay their last respects before he was buried in a nearby cemetery.
Prime Minister NarendraModion Saturday condoled the passing away of Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov.
“It is a great loss for every Uzbek”.
Deputy Prime Minister Tugrul Turkes will represent Turkey.
They stood along the roads as Karimov’s funeral cortege was moving through the city from the airport, where the President’s body was delivered earlier from Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
During his brutal quarter-century rule – which rights groups say relied on torture and forced labour – Karimov earned a reputation overseas as one of the region’s most savage despots who ruthlessly crushed any criticism.
Under Uzbek law, Senate head Nigmatilla Yuldashev has now become Acting President until early elections are held.
Karimov was the head of the local Communist party in Uzbekistan when it was still a Soviet republic, and he kept the job after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
She said Karimov was committed to the friendship and cooperation between China and Uzbekistan, and made unremitting efforts to promote the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, two-way exchanges, and people-to-people friendship.
Mirziyoyev, who is in charge of the funeral committee, appreciated Beijing for sending a high-level delegation to attend Karimov’s funeral.
“The death of Islam Karimov may open a pretty risky period of unpredictability and uncertainty in Uzbekistan”, Pushkov told the Tass news agency on Friday. He was accused by critics and human rights groups of harshly repressing dissent.
His death was confirmed by the government in Tashkent on Friday, six days after he was taken to hospital following a stroke. In Karimov’s absence, Mirziyaev led a commemorative event in Tashkent on August 31 that marked the start of Independence Day celebrations.
“Under (Karimov’s) guidance. Uzbekistan held a peaceful foreign policy, contributed to the strengthening of security and stability in Central Asia and to the development of multilateral cooperation in the region”, Putin added.
Advertisement
That enthusiasm isn’t shared by rights activists.
