Uzbekistan president Islam Karimov dies after three decades in office
- 8 years ago
Uzbekistan's first and only president has died, leaving an uncertain future for a government marred by controversy.
Karimov, 78, has not appeared in public since August 17.
He has been in the hospital since last Saturday after suffering a stroke, Reuters reports, and the Uzbek government did confirm that he was critically ill.
Karimov became leader of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in 1989.
Two years later, he declared the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan and assumed the presidency of the new country.
In 1995, his mandate was extended for another five years by referendum.
Despite a two-term limit, he won re-election in 2000, 2007 and 2015.
Karimov, 78, has not appeared in public since August 17.
He has been in the hospital since last Saturday after suffering a stroke, Reuters reports, and the Uzbek government did confirm that he was critically ill.
Karimov became leader of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in 1989.
Two years later, he declared the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan and assumed the presidency of the new country.
In 1995, his mandate was extended for another five years by referendum.
Despite a two-term limit, he won re-election in 2000, 2007 and 2015.