Tashkent, March 2, Interfax – Two citizens of Uzbekistan have been convicted of spreading religious extremism and propaganda for the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, which is banned in Uzbekistan, using the Internet an official form the Uzbek Prosecutor General’s Office told Interfax on Monday.
“Robia Buribekova and Nilufar Ubaidullayeva, residents of the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan, have been convicted for spreading propaganda for the organization Hizb ut-Tahrir on the Internet,” the source said.
The source said Buribekova had used the instant messaging program WhatsApp to create online extremist groups and talked with her foreign accomplices, promoting Hizb ut-Tahrir ideas.
Ubaidullayeva joined her later.
“Along with the propaganda, they disseminated on social networking sites false information tarnishing the reputation of prominent scientists, religious figures and statesmen,” the source said.
The Uzbek Prosecutor General’s Office official did not say what punishment was given to the women.
Under Uzbek legislation, such crimes can be punished by five to eight years in prison.