The president of Uzbekistan, an authoritarian country in Central Asia, said on Sunday that recent anti-government protests in the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan (northwest) had caused “
casualties
”.
Read alsoUzbekistan: State of emergency declared in a region after demonstrations
"
Unfortunately, there are casualties among civilians and law enforcement
," said Chavkat Mirzioev, quoted by his press service, during a speech from Karakalpakstan.
He did not specify the number of victims, nor indicated whether they were dead or injured.
This is the most serious internal crisis facing the Uzbek president since he came to power in 2016.
Two residents of Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan, told AFP that a small group attempting to protest on Saturday evening, for the second night in a row, had been dispersed by the police.
According to these witnesses who requested anonymity, the police seem to have used tear gas and smoke grenades.
Emergency state
Uzbekistan, a country where the opposition is violently repressed, on Saturday declared a state of emergency for a month in Karakalpakstan, shaken the day before by a rare anti-government demonstration which prompted President Chavkat Mirzioev to abandon a plan to constitutional amendment.
This amendment would have reduced the degree of autonomy of the republic populated by 2 million people, one of the poorest in the country.
The state of emergency came into effect the same evening at midnight and is to last until August 2.
Noukus seemed calm on Sunday morning and was patrolled by the police, witnesses told AFP.
Came to power in 2016 on the death of his predecessor, the ruthless Islam Karimov, Chavkat Mirzioev carried out major economic and social reforms.
Reelected last year, he is now accused of taking a new authoritarian turn in the country.
With the revision of the proposed Constitution, the presidential term would increase from five to seven years, in favor of the current head of state.
Read alsoIn Uzbekistan, Chavkat Mirzioev seeks re-election
In 2005, hundreds of Uzbek civilians were killed in the city of Andijan (east), during the repression of a protest movement.
