Trapped by taboo

 
Published: Thursday 17 June 2010

imageThe news service Radio Free Europe collected evidence that proves an anti- AIDS campaigner in Uzbekistan was sentenced to seven years after authorities deemed his brochure incompatible with local traditions. Twenty-eight-year-old Maksim Popov, who heads the nonprofit Izis, was arrested in January 2009 and sentenced in September. The details, in a country where information is controlled, have come to light recently.

Radio Free Europe’s Uzbek service unearthed correspondence between Popov and Uzbek authorities.
   
It shows their disapproval of the booklet hiv and AIDS Today discussed taboo matters such as sex. It also talked about AIDS-preventive measures, including the use of sterile syringes for drug users and ways to practise safe sex. The authorities said it is to a how-to guide to have sex and use drugs.

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