[ETIC, 5/11/98] The Minister of National Security of Kyrgyzstan gave a press-conference to journalists in Bishkek today at 2:30 p.m. A
correspondent of the Uyghur newspaper "Vijdan Avazi" Rabiyem Yakub was not allowed in. On her question "On what grounds?", the security
service officer responded: "Without any grounds." Apparently, the press-conference was devoted to the recent crack down of the Kyrgyz
National Security Ministry on the Uyghurs in Kyrgyzstan. The Uyghurs were accused in spreading the ideas of militant Islamic Fundamentalism
in Kyrgyzstan and in being the members of the underground organization advocating independence of Uyghuristan. Two of the arrested Uyghurs,
who are citizens of China, are still detained in the prison of the Ministry of National Security waiting for deportation to China. [A. Aitbayev]