TASHKENT (AFP) – Post-Soviet Uzbekistans strongman President Islam Karimov danced off rumours that ill-health might derail his imminent re-election bid Saturday during a state celebration of the Nowruz holiday marking the beginning of spring.The 77-year-old, who has controlled Uzbekistan for over two decades, has traditionally used the symbolic event held in the capital Tashkent to dispel whispers about his physical frailty, which have grown louder as he has cut down on public appearances over the years.This Nowruz was no exception as Karimov moved energetically to traditional Uzbek melodies, at one point jogging on the spot as government officials and foreign …read more
Source: Dunya TV
