Tashkent, Uzbekistan - On Wednesday, an Uzbek court dismissed that country's Justice Ministry's effort to close down the office of the Joint Development Associate (JDA) International, a US NGO.
"After studying arguments of the sides, the court ruled to dismiss the case on closing down the office of JDA International in Uzbekistan," a correspondent of the Russian Regum news agency was told.
The NGO was accused of carrying out missionary activities, using the office's building and assets for commercial purposes and several other violations.
Over the past year, Uzbek authorities have expelled a number of foreign NGOs and organisations, including the Eurasia Foundation, Freedom House, the International Research and Exchanges Board, the American Bar Association, Counterpart International and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Observers say Tashkent is wary that Western NGOs might be preparing the ground for a popular uprising similar to the "colour revolutions" that have swept the former Soviet republics of Georgia, Ukraine and neighbouring Kyrgyzstan over the past few years.