The news of this execution is particularly disturbing, especially in the light of the concerns - repeatedly raised by Amnesty International with the Uzbek authorities - about Dmitry Chikunov's death sentence being based on a confession reportedly extracted under torture Amnesty International is not aware that any investigation into allegations that Dmitry Chikunov's confession was extracted under duress was instigated.

Furthermore, this execution highlights the secrecy with which the state treats information on the death penalty and individual death sentences in Uzbekistan.

Amnesty International - which only this morning issued a public statement expressing concern about this and other death sentences in Uzbekistan - reiterates its earlier appeal to the Uzbek authorities to issue a moratorium on death sentences and executions and to move towards the abolition of the death penalty in the country.