News Service Publication «Forum 18, the output in Norway, February 22 published an article by Felix Corley, entitled" No need to import the Bible in Uzbekistan? ".

It is reported that the two parties the Bible, most of which was published in Uzbek and Karakalpak in 15000 copies in Tashkent detained by Customs on behalf of the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan and State Committee for Religious Affairs in 2008 and 2010, are still under seizure.



According to the author of the material, the Uzbek side has recognized their "illegally imported into Uzbekistan." Tashkent City Court on January 12 fined Natalia Pitirimova, an accountant of the Bible Society for "violation of the order of placing goods in storage, possession or carrying out transactions with them" at 316, 5 thousand soms (about $ 189) and ordered the Bible Society to re-export of literature in Russia at the expense of society.



Officials warned that "there is no need to import the Bible in Uzbekistan, as there are electronic versions on the Internet." They do not explain why permission to read the Bible on the Internet, but illegal - to buy a printed copy, the author notes.



The Committee on Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Justice officials declined to discuss the issue with Forum 18.



The Bible Society has filed an appeal with the Chilansarskiy District Court for the Tashkent court. However, the court has not yet responded to the statement, the newspaper notes.



Religious literature in Uzbekistan is tightly controlled by the state, the newspaper notes. Import and production of literature - including the Koran and the Bible - is strictly controlled, with compulsory prior censorship of the State Committee for Religious Affairs. Only registered companies may apply for permission to print materials or import them.