Article author:
Reuters
ALMATY — Uzbekistan officials said Monday that 18 people were killed and 243 were injured during the turmoil that broke out last week over plans to reduce autonomy in Karakalpakstan, the autonomous province of Uzbekistan.
Last Friday, security forces detained 516 people while disbanding protesters, but now they have released many, a National Guard spokesman told the briefing.
On Saturday, President Shavkatomirziyoev withdrew plans to amend the constitutional provisions of Karakalpakstan's autonomy and its withdrawal rights. He also declared a month-long state of emergency in the northwest.
Officially reported, protesters marched in the state capital Nukus last Friday in an attempt to seize a local government building. (Report by Olzhas Auyezov, edited by Gareth Jones)
