The support continues, seen by many as a "pay-off" for the Khanabad base. The US Embassy Web site says Uzbekistan got US$10 million for "security and law enforcement support" last year.
Last year Human Rights Watch released a 319-page report detailing the use of torture by Uzbekistan's security services. It said the government was carrying out a sustained campaign of torture and intimidation against Muslims that had seen 7,000 people imprisoned.
The report documented at least 10 deaths, including that of one man, Muzafar Avozov, who was boiled to death in 2002. Rape of men and women was also used as an interrogation tool.
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