Nick posted about the mounting pressure on the BBC yesterday, now it’s official: The BBC suspends its Tashkent office after a row over the broadcaster’s stance on the events in Andijon.

The office will remain closed for at least six months. Prominent reporter Monica Whitlock had already been forced to leave the country in June this year.

Official responses? Not really:

The Uzbek ambassador in London, Tukhtapulat Riskiev, has declined an invitation to discuss the issue with the World Service. He said he was unaware that the BBC was experiencing any problems in Uzbekistan.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has more, as has BBC news.

UzReport.com presents the government’s line of reasoning.