Tashkent, Uzbekistan - An Uzbek court is hearing a case against the Central Asian Free Exchange (CAFE), a U.S. non-governmental organization (NGO), on charges of proselytism.
"A Kokand district civil court has completed the first hearing into the case of CAFE's Fergana office," a local justice department spokesman told Interfax on Tuesday.
The trial was launched following a wide array of complaints from the local population, the spokesman said.
"Witnesses have testified that CAFE officials explained that humanitarian aid was provided to converts to Protestant Christianity. They promoted Christianity and gave poor families in villages foreign-made bicycles," the source said.
Uzbekistan's law bans proselytism and other missionary activities.