While information is very tightly controlled in the ex-Soviet nation, reports have appeared in opposition media based overseas claiming that Karimov is dead.
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“Any vocalisation that Mr Karimov’s power is not absolute is seen as a threat to the entire system”, says Human Rights Watch spokesman Steve Swerdlow.
Karimov cast his rule as a bulwark against the spread of Islamic extremism in the region and used an attempt on his life in 1999 by the militant Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan to justify mass arrests of Muslims in the country.
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The Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty in June 1990 – just three months into Karimov’s first term as president – but it would take until September 1, 1991, for the nation to fully declare independence from the Soviet Union, which was dissolved almost four months later.
Karimov became leader of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in 1989, and in 1991 declared the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Reporters Without Borders states that “Karimov subjects his country to the strictest censorship”.
However, Kortunov said he doesn’t think the country would be able to hold an open election in the event of Karimov dying or stepping down for health reasons.
Under Uzbekistan’s constitution, the chairman of the Uzbek Senate takes over if the head of state dies.
The wily leader has played off Russia, China and the West against each other to keep Uzbekistan from total isolation.
He has always been lambasted by critics for brutally crushing dissent – most prominently the deadly 2005 response to protests in the city of Andijan death in which government forces are accused of killing hundreds of demonstrators.
If he was passed over for the top job, Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his deputy Rustam Azimov would be potential successors.
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“The fear is that in order to avoid any future leader of Uzbekistan running closely into the embrace of the Kremlin they’ll need to reserve their criticism”, Swerdlow said.
