Warning issued after trade stall violence in Uzbekistan

The US embassy in Uzbekistan has warned Americans to be vigilant when shopping in the country’s bustling bazaars after recent violence between stallholders and police over new trade laws.

Thousands protested on Monday in the city of Kokand, 125 miles east of the capital Tashkent and burned at least two police cars in a rare mass public demonstration of opposition to the government.

The demonstrators were protesting at new trade rules that took effect this month banning the sale of imported goods through intermediaries and requiring all sellers to obtain a special licence to bring goods from abroad.