Uzbekistanian President Islam Karimov passes away at 78

Tashkent: Following a quarter century of his iron-hand rule in the central Asian country, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov passed away on Friday. He was 78.

“A political heir was never designated by Karimov. It is, however, believed by the analysts that his power’s transition will be decided behind closed doors by family members as well as senior officials,” reported a national news channel.

Demise of Karimov, who had been in hospital since Saturday last, was not immediately confirmed by the offcials of his government. Earlier on Friday, it was said that the premier’s condition had sharply deteriorated.

Much criticised by the West as well as human rights groups for his style of leadership, Karimov had been ruling the country since 1989.

Other highlights:

• The funeral of the strongman will be held in Samarkhand – his home city – on Saturday.
• The committee holding responsibility of organising his funeral will be headed by loyalist Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
• “I’m struggling for words as he has left us. I’m shocked,” wrote Karimov’s youngest daughter Lola on social networking website Facebook.

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