TASHKENT — 1999 · Major Tragedy
The Tashkent Bombings
From about 10:50 on the morning of 16 February 1999, six car bombs exploded in central Tashkent over roughly 90 minutes. One of the blasts was believed to have targeted President Islam Karimov, who was about to arrive at the Cabinet of Ministers building. The attacks killed 16 people and injured more than 120. The government blamed the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and the opposition, and mass arrests followed across the country. In November 2000 several opposition leaders were convicted in absentia. Human Rights Watch sharply criticised the trials, saying they relied on confessions obtained under torture and that insufficient evidence was presented.
- Date
- 1999
- Place
- Centre, Uzbekistan, Tashkent, UZ
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 41.3110, 69.2790 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 16 February 1999Six car bombs exploded in central Tashkent; 16 people died.
- 1999The government blamed the IMU; mass arrests followed.
- November 2000Opposition leaders were convicted in absentia.
- 17 November 2000HRW said evidence was lacking and confessions were coerced.
Sources
- Human Rights Watch — Uzbek Court Sentences Opposition in Absentia (2000) hrw.org ↗
- Wikipedia — 1999 Tashkent bombings en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Human Rights Watch
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.