Try to avoid policemen in uniform, especially in Tashkent. They may grab you especially in the metro and search you in a back room. They will be particularly interested in your wallet/money, looking carefully at receipts etc. It's a trick to make you pay to them a bribe. Don't accept it and if things get nasty keep the phone number of your embassy at hand and pick up the phone and tell them you are calling your ambassador, which should make them stop. Most important, don't put locals at risk by talking about the regime in public places or even mentioning politics at all unless you are sure noone is listening. Getting someone into trouble can be caused by pure inattention or lack of knowledge about the notorius authorities. The consequences for locals may be arrest, torture or worse. Uzbekistan is quite possibly the roguest regime in the world, where political prisoners have been boiled alive in prisons. My travel experiences are from six years back, but I keep myself informed and things have not changed for the better. For an insight into the horrors of Uzbekistan, watch the excellent on location documentary "
Uzbekistan - The West's torture farm" with the shocking accounts of former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan Craig Murray, who was sacked by the UK government for his revelations about torture and murder by the Uzbek authorities. In spite of all the horrors, Uzbeks are genuinely warm and hospitable people who will do their best to make you feel happy during your visit. The silk road cities Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are some of the most astonishing places I have ever seen.
Possibly Uzbek police corruption has decreased after it was clamped down upon by the authorities. In Kazakhstan, abuse by the authorities also exist but is less apparent to the visitor. Most important here is to steer clear of organized crime and prostitution. If you stay in hotels don't be surprised to get calls to your room from women down in the lobby who will want to come to your room. These women are controlled by organized crime syndicates also dealing with drugs and various other types of trafficking.
In terms of travel safety Uzbekistan is a quite safe place, more so than Kazakhstan, where there is considerably more organized crime. Compared to a Western country I would still rate Kazakhstan as a safe place. Kyrgyzstan, if you go there, is more rural in general, with many very remote and extremely beautiful places. Roads are often poor and treacherous, ascending and descending the lofty mountains covering the entire country. Police corruption is also rife and poverty and alcoholism is often striking. At the time of my visit, only Bishkek and Karakol were considered unsafe at night. Osh was a very pleasant city where I strolled around late at night. I am shocked to see what has happened since.
I'll see if I can post some photos from my visit.
