OSCE media freedom representative concerned about disappearance of two photojournalists in Uzbekistan

VIENNA, 30 January 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed concern about the disappearance of photojournalists Umida Akhmedova and Timur Karpov in Uzbekistan after they were detained by police in Tashkent.

“I am concerned that there is no information on their whereabouts. That is why I have written to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, requesting the authorities to urgently inquire where Akhmedova and Karpov are and the circumstances of their disappearance,” Mijatović said.

Akhmedova, a well-known photojournalist, and Karpov, photo editor for Lenta.ru, were released by the police on the evening of 29 January, according to information given by local police. Since then their whereabouts remain unknown.