Polat, Abdurrahman
Who, Why and How exiled: Abdurrahman Polat, is an Uzbek opposition figure and chairman of Birlik. In 1993 he was expelled from Uzbekistan and took refuge in Turkey (Balci, 2013). Birlik (Unity) People's movement is also associated with Birlik Party ( which began as the Democratic Party of Uzbekistan in the early 1990's ( Melvin, 2005). The party promoted principles of independence, national rebirth and democratic freedoms. The movement was officially recognized in 1991 but the political wing of the party was denied registration as a party ( Melvin, 2005, p. 37). In 1993, the movement was banned in Uzbekistan. The organisation continued to operate from abroad,the organisation publishes newspaper Mustaqil Haftalik ( Independent weekly) and the magazine Harakat ( Mouvement) ( Melvin, 2005 p. 37)
Stage 1 details (accusations/ charges/ Interpol notice/ extradition requests): The persecution of Birlik began in mid 1992. In June 1992, Abdurrahman Polat was beaten by unknown assailants and less than a year later, another member of the Party was subject to the same experience (Melvin, 2005). Between 1992-1993 a significant number of the opposition group were imprisoned, disappeared or assaulted (Melvin, 2005, p. 37).
Current status: Currently exiled in Turkey (Eurasianet, 2016).
Press sources: Balci, N. 2013. 'WPR: WHAT HAS BEEN THE RECENT EVOLUTION OF TURKEY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH CENTRAL ASIA, AND WHY DOES TURKEY PRIORITIZE THE REGION IN TERMS OF ITS FOREIGN AID?'. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, June 13, 2013 [Online]. Available at: http://carnegieendowment.org/2013/06/13/turkey-lowers-its-sights-on-central-asian-reform-pub-52115 Eurasianet, 2016. 'Turkey Pursues a Reset with Uzbekistan'. November 17, 2016. [Online].Available at: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/81346 Melvin, Neil, J. 2005. 'Uzbeksitan: transition to authoritarianism'. Netherlands: Harwood Academic Publishers.