Baxtiyor Rahimov (Russified form ''Bakhtiyar Rahimov'' is also used; ) (born c. 1963) is a

rebel A rebel is a participant in a rebellion. Rebel or rebels may also refer to: People * Rebel (given name) * Rebel (surname) * Patriot (American Revolution), during the American Revolution * American Southerners, as a form of self-identification; ...

leader in

Uzbekistan , image_flag = Flag of Uzbekistan.svg , image_coat = Emblem of Uzbekistan.svg , symbol_type = Emblem of Uzbekistan, Emblem , national_anthem = "State Anthem of Uzbekistan, State Anthem of the Republ ...

who advocates an

Islamic republic The term Islamic republic has been used in different ways. Some Muslim religious leaders have used it as the name for a form of Islamic theocratic government enforcing sharia, or laws compatible with sharia. The term has also been used for a s ...

. He is currently being held by the Uzbek government.

Background

Little is known of Rahimov's background prior to the

protest A protest (also called a demonstration, remonstration, or remonstrance) is a public act of objection, disapproval or dissent against political advantage. Protests can be thought of as acts of cooperation in which numerous people cooperate ...

s and government attacks in

in May 2005. He had apparently been a farmer and resident of

Qorasuv Qorasuv (also ''Korasuv'', ''Karasu''; ) is a city in Qoʻrgʻontepa District of Andijan Region in eastern Uzbekistan, about 50 km from the district capital of Andijan. The town's name means "black water" in Uzbek (''qora'' - black, ''suv' ...

, a small town on the border with

Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Asia lying in the Tian Shan and Pamir Mountains, Pamir mountain ranges. Bishkek is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Kyrgyzstan, largest city. Kyrgyz ...

. After a series of protests and reprisals centered in

Andijan Andijan ( ), also spelt Andijon () and formerly romanized as Andizhan ( ), is a city in Uzbekistan. It is the administrative, economic, and cultural center of Andijan Region. Andijan is a district-level city with an area of . Andijan is the most ...

, a provincial capital some from Qorasuv, thousands of Uzbeks stormed the border town in attempt to flee the country. On approximately May 13, 2005, Rahimov and persons loyal to him seized control of Qorasuv. Rahimov announced plans to form an

Islam Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...

ic state in place of what are now Central Asian countries. He gave an interview with the

Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American not-for-profit organization, not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association, and produces news reports that are dist ...

while seated on horseback, during which he was quoted saying "We will be building an Islamic state here in accordance with the Quran" and citing his goals of reaching

Tajikistan Tajikistan, officially the Republic of Tajikistan, is a landlocked country in Central Asia. Dushanbe is the capital city, capital and most populous city. Tajikistan borders Afghanistan to the Afghanistan–Tajikistan border, south, Uzbekistan to ...

Turkmenistan Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north, east and northeast, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the south and southwest and the Caspian Sea to the west. Ash ...

, "and the rest of the world". The AP report indicated that, as of May 17, no Uzbek military forces were present in the area, but contained only speculation as to the numbers of Rahimov's followers. Rahimov stated, "We don't have weapons, but if they come and attack us we will fight even with knives." On May 18, 2005, Rahimov was captured by government forces after minimal resistance. Also arrested were Rahimov's 14-year-old son and around twenty other people who may or may not have ties to him. The occupation of Qorasuv appears to have eliminated the last pocket of resistance stemming from the May, 2005 protests. Despite the release of most of those arrested, protests demanding freedom for Rahimov continued on May 19 and 20 alongside a heavy military presence.

References

External links

Uzbekistan's local rebel - BBC report
Uzbekistani politicians Year of birth uncertain 1960s births Living people Uzbekistani prisoners and detainees Prisoners and detainees of Uzbekistan Uzbekistani Muslims Uzbekistani Islamists {{Uzbekistan-bio-stub