Russian news agencies are citing the government of Uzbekistan as saying that President Islam Karimov has died, ending days of rumors about the condition of the 78-year-old hardliner who led the Central Asian country with an iron hand since its independence. Karimov ran an authoritarian government in the Central Asian nation since 1989, and cultivated no apparent successor. Karimov's death raises concerns that Uzbekistan could face prolonged infighting among clans over leadership claims, something its Islamic radical movement could exploit. Karimov's death would "mark the end of an era in Uzbekistan, but almost certainly not the pattern of grave human rights abuses. Uzbek opposition blogger Nadezhda Atayeva said on Friday that Uzbek authorities appeared to be cracking down on communication channels.

Source: ABC News September 02, 2016 06:55 UTC