External forces behind Karakalpakstan riots - Uzbek president

TASHKENT. July 6 (Interfax) - Foreign forces had been preparing disturbances in Nukus, the capital of the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan in Uzbekistan, for years, and their goal is infringing on Uzbekistan's territorial integrity, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

"Of course, these events were prepared not in one day and not in ten days. Foreign forces have been preparing these actions for years. Their main objective is infringing on the territorial integrity of Uzbekistan and creating an interethnic conflict," Mirziyoyev said during a meeting in Tashkent.

An investigative team is conducting an inquiry into these events, "however, members of the public, parliamentarians and civil activists also must be involved in the process," he said.

The actions of law enforcement agencies also need to be thoroughly analyzed, "and if they used force improperly, they must be held criminally liable in accordance with the law," the Uzbek president said.

"The situation in Karakalpakstan is currently stable. The key thing is that nothing threatens the population's peace. All sectors of the economy and facilities providing services are operating normally. People are doing their everyday jobs and household chores," Mirziyoyev said.

Mass protests erupted in Nukus on July 1-2. Law enforcement officers detained 516 people. The Uzbek Prosecutor General's Office opened a criminal case over the riots and encroachment on the constitutional order. Eighteen people died of serious injuries, 243 were injured and 94 of them were hospitalized following the mass unrest.

Uzbek National Guard commander Rustam Dzhurayev said later that the victims of mass disturbances include 14 civilians and four law enforcement officers. According to Dzhurayev, 13 deceased civilians were under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Mirziyoyev signed a decree declaring a state of emergency in the Republic of Karakalpakstan in the period from July 3 to August 2. Both chambers of the Uzbek parliament endorsed this decision.