An Uzbek journalist and human rights advocate, Solizhon Abdurakhmanov, went on trial in the city of Nukus on Friday on charges of trying to sell drugs, according to his brother, Bakhrom Abdurakhmanov. Solizhon Abdurakhmanov was arrested in June. His brother, who is representing him at the trial, said the police planted marijuana and opium on the underside of Mr. Abdurakhmanov’s car while it was being repaired and arrested him after he picked it up. Mr. Abdurakhmanov has worked for The New York Times as a local guide and for other news organizations, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America, and he has provided legal aid to Uzbeks caught in the machinery of Uzbekistan’s authoritarian government.

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