Ruslan Sharipov, an independent Uzbek journalist whose imprisonment in 2003 sparked international outrage, arrived in the United States last week, the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) announced in a 25 October press release. \"We are relieved that Mr. Sharipov is beyond the reach of the Uzbek authorities, and we hope that he can one day return to a free and democratic Uzbekistan,\" said Kajsa Tornroth, director of press freedom programs for WAN. Sharipov was sentenced to four years\' imprisonment in 2003 for homosexual acts; many saw the move as retaliation for his coverage of human rights violations. According to the press release, Sharipov fled Uzbekistan \"in the face of serious threats to his safety,\" leaving for Moscow in June and eventually arriving in California after being given asylum. Sharipov told the BBC\'s Uzbek Service that he now plans to write about what he witnessed in prison in Uzbekistan. (RFE/RL)