Country Reports on Terrorism 2012

Countering Radicalization and Violent Extremism: Turkmenistan's law enforcement and
security agencies exercised stringent control over the population. The Government of
Turkmenistan reportedly views conservative Islam with suspicion. Since the country's
independence, mosques and Muslim clergy have been state-sponsored and financed. We refer
you to the Department of State’s Annual Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom
(http://www.state.gov/j/drl/irf/rpt/index.htm) for further information.
UZBEKISTAN
Overview: The Government of Uzbekistan continued to rank counterterrorism within its borders
as one of its top three security priorities, together with counternarcotics and countering violent
extremism. The Government of Uzbekistan shares many U.S. counterterrorism goals and
objectives in the region, but has employed methods that are in some cases inconsistent with
respect for the fundamental rights of citizens and the rule of law.
Sharing a land border with Afghanistan, the Uzbek government continued to express concern
about the potential for a “spillover effect” of terrorism, with the scheduled drawdown of U.S.
troops by the end of 2014. The government was confident that it could control its border with
Afghanistan but was less sure about its neighbors’ ability to do so and was particularly
concerned about infiltration of extremists through Uzbekistan’s long, rugged border with
Tajikistan.
Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Law enforcement and judicial bodies
used charges of terrorism and alleged ties to extremist organizations not only as grounds to
arrest, prosecute, and convict suspected terrorists and extremists, but also to suppress legitimate
expression of political or religious beliefs. The government perceives extremism as a threat to
security and stability and bans organizations it broadly deems “extremist” and criminalizes
membership in them. Nur, founded by Kurdish Mullah Said Nursi and associated with the
religious teachings of Turkish scholar Fethullah Gullen, for example, is considered a banned
organization, despite its consistent condemnations of violent extremism. The Initiative Group of
Independent Human Rights Defenders of Uzbekistan estimated that more than 250 Muslim
believers were imprisoned during the year on charges of religious extremism.
The government continued to issue biometric passports to citizens needing them for travel
outside of Uzbekistan. The biometric data includes a digital photo, fingerprints, and biographical
data.
Countering Terrorist Finance: Uzbekistan is a member of the Eurasian Group on Combating
Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, a Financial Action Task Force-style regional
body. The Government of Uzbekistan did not report any efforts to seize terrorist assets in
2012. However, in one case, the government froze the account of a citizen of Uzbekistan in
connection with a joint Russian/Uzbek terrorism-related investigation. For further information on
money laundering and financial crimes, we refer you to the 2013 International Narcotics Control
Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume 2, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes:
http://www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/index.htm.
Regional and International Cooperation: Although the Uzbek government preferred bilateral
engagement in its security-related cooperation, it is a member of several regional organizations
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