Iran Press/ Iran News: Since last Friday, thousands of people have taken to the streets in the northwestern region of Uzbekistan’s autonomous province of Karakalpakstan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nasser Kanani added: “These developments are an internal issue of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and we are confident that the government of the friendly and brotherly country of Uzbekistan will soon resolve this issue for the benefit of the people of that country.”
In the end, Kanani considered stability and security in Uzbekistan to be of special importance for the Islamic Republic and the region.
Uzbekistan’s government says there have been several casualties among civilians and law enforcement personnel after rare public protests in Karakalpakstan province.
Under the current constitution, Karakalpakstan is regarded as a sovereign republic within Uzbekistan that has the right to secede by holding a referendum.
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However, the proposed new version of the constitution by the government did not recognize the region’s sovereignty or right for secession and prompted people to take to the streets again.
Some demonstrators even tried to storm local government buildings in the region’s capital, Nukus.
Security forces detained 516 people during the protests, which broke out over plans to curtail Karakalpakstan’s autonomy, but have now released many of them, the National Guard press office told a briefing.
On Saturday, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev dropped plans to amend articles of the constitution concerning Karakalpakstan’s sovereignty and right to secede. He also declared a month-long state of emergency in the northwestern province.
According to the prosecutor general’s office, 18 people died “from grave wounds” sustained during the clashes. Russia’s RIA news agency quoted the head of the National Guard as saying the toll included 14 civilians and four law enforcement officers.
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