TASHKENT, September 20 (RIA Novosti, Abu-Ali Niyazmatov) - All 15 Uzbeks facing criminal charges over the May Andijan protests have admitted guilt on all counts, Uzbekistan's First Deputy Prosecutor General Anvar Nabiyev said Tuesday.
"After the list of charges had been read out, in accordance with official procedures, the judge asked each of the accused whether he deemed himself guilty. Each of the accused admitted guilt on all charges," Nabiyev said.
After the 15 have been questioned, witnesses and victims will also be questioned, he said.
Uzbek authorities claim that the Andijan protests on May 13 were masterminded by Islamic extremist groups linked to international terrorist organizations. According to official data, 187 people died in the ensuing violence, including 57 civilians. Human rights activists have reported much higher figures.
