31/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - 'The EU strongly condemns the murder of Alisher Saipov, the Kyrgyz journalist and human rights defender of Uzbek origin, in Kyrgyzstan on October 24,' notes a statement issued by the Portuguese presidency. Saipov was highly critical of Uzbekistan, where he was murdered in the southern region of Osh in which most of the population is Uzbeki. The Portuguese presidency statement explains: 'The EU firmly believes in the importance of freedom of expression, of the media and of the respect of human rights in the development of a democratic and pluralistic society. The EU deplores Mr Saipov's death and praises his work, which provided an important contribution to the promotion of human rights. The EU urges the Kyrgyz authorities to hold an immediate and thorough investigation into the death of Mr Saipov, arrest the perpetrators of this act and bring them to justice, as publicly assured by President Bakiyev on 25 October.' (A.B.)