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{{Short description|Book by Craig Murray}} |
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| ⚫ | '''''Murder in Samarkand''''' is a non-fiction book by |
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{{Infobox book |
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| name = Murder in Samarkand |
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| author = [[Craig Murray]] |
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| subject = Human rights in [[Uzbekistan]] |
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| genre = Non-fiction |
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| pub_date = 2006 |
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| pages = 410 |
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}} |
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| ⚫ | '''''Murder in Samarkand''''' (published in the US under the title '''''Dirty Diplomacy''''') is a non-fiction book by Scottish activist and former ambassador to [[Uzbekistan]], [[Craig Murray]]. The book<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/books/murder-in-samarkand/ |title=Murder in Samarkand — Documents |work=Craig Murray's blog |accessdate=18 July 2008 }}</ref> forms an account of his period as the British ambassador in [[Tashkent]] in 2002–2004. In the work, Murray recounts his condemnation of human rights violations under the [[Government of Uzbekistan|Karimov administration]]'s suppression of [[human rights]] and alleged British double standards over torture in [[Iraq]]. |
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==Publishing difficulties== |
==Publishing difficulties== |
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The book was originally published by Mainstream (Edinburgh) in 2006 but only after several battles. Before its publication, many potential readers had been contacted through Internet posts and e-mail listings to raise interest and |
The book was originally published by Mainstream (Edinburgh) in 2006 but only after several battles. Before its publication, many potential readers had been contacted through Internet posts and e-mail listings to raise interest and create a body of public opinion, to guard against the publisher being 'bullied' out of printing the book by government pressure. These communications also mentioned how supporting government documents which were originally planned for inclusion had been forcibly removed because of copyright laws. This, despite Murray's assertions that many had received a formal release and thus should have been in the [[public domain]]. Their forced removal, Murray has said, is the government "trying to claw back the very limited gains in [[Freedom of Information]] in the UK",<ref>''Murder in Samarkand'', preface, page 13 (2007 paperback edition)</ref> especially attempts to close websites on which the supporting documents were posted instead. Though many attempts to do this have proved successful, media interest has also meant that the documents frequently resurface on [[mirror website|mirror sites]].<ref>[http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/1200 Craig Murray documents — The media catches on *UPDATED*], ''Blairwatch'' blog, 11 July 2006</ref> |
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Portions of the documents were restored in the U.S. edition, published in October 2007.<ref>''Dirty Diplomacy'', e.g. pages 60–64</ref> |
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==Cover controversy== |
==Cover controversy== |
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A minor controversy involved the choice of photographs on the 2007 paperback edition, two of the three photos having been the same as those previously appearing in the 2004 [[Lonely Planet]] guide to Central Asia by [[Bradley Mayhew]], [[Paul Clammer]] and [[Michael Kohn]]. Neither shows [[Samarkand]]. The rear cover of ''Murder in Samarkand'' uses the same photo of [[Bukhara]] that was the guide book's cover photo. Murray's front cover uses a sunset scene that had appeared on page 7 of the guide (and shows [[Khiva]]).<ref>''Lonely Planet: Central Asia'' page 7</ref> There were no copyright issues in this case as both photos were licensed through [[Getty Images]].<ref>''Murder in Samarkand'', back page credit</ref><ref>''Lonely Planet: Central Asia'', page 512 credit</ref> Murray has stated he did not choose the cover and does not like its "masculine" appearance. |
A minor controversy involved the choice of photographs on the 2007 paperback edition, two of the three photos having been the same as those previously appearing in the 2004 ''[[Lonely Planet]]'' guide to Central Asia by [[Bradley Mayhew]], [[Paul Clammer]] and [[Michael Kohn]]. Neither shows [[Samarkand]]. The rear cover of ''Murder in Samarkand'' uses the same photo of [[Bukhara]] that was the guide book's cover photo. Murray's front cover uses a sunset scene that had appeared on page 7 of the guide (and shows [[Khiva]]).<ref>''Lonely Planet: Central Asia'' page 7</ref> There were no copyright issues in this case as both photos were licensed through [[Getty Images]].<ref>''Murder in Samarkand'', back page credit</ref><ref>''Lonely Planet: Central Asia'', page 512 credit</ref> Murray has stated he did not choose the cover and does not like its "masculine" appearance. |
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==Film version== |
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A |
A film version of the book was in development. Paramount bought the rights and developed a script written by [[David Hare (dramatist)|David Hare]]. [[Michael Winterbottom]] was attached to direct and actor [[Steve Coogan]] to play Murray. After disagreements over the script, Paramount passed on the project, their rights meaning no one else could produce Hare's script.{{cn|date=June 2021}} |
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==Radio play== |
==Radio play== |
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Following Paramount's decision to pass on the film script, [[David Hare (dramatist)|David Hare]] convinced them to release the audio rights to the script, and rewrote it as a radio play. The radio play of Murder in Samarkand was broadcast on 20 February 2010<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qs5x7</ref> |
Following Paramount's decision to pass on the film script, [[David Hare (dramatist)|David Hare]] convinced them to release the audio rights to the script, and rewrote it as a radio play. The radio play of ''Murder in Samarkand'' was broadcast on 20 February 2010 on [[BBC Radio 4]], with [[David Tennant]] as Murray.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qs5x7 |title=BBC Radio 4 Programmes – Saturday Play, Murder in Samarkand |work=BBC |accessdate=1 April 2011}}</ref> The play was nominated for best drama at the [[Sony Radio Academy Awards]] 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/31734/neil-mckays-rip-boy-receives-nomination-for |title=Nominations for Sony Radio Awards |first=Matthew |last=Hemley |work=The Stage |date=31 March 2011 |accessdate=1 April 2011}}</ref> |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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* [ |
* [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/murder-in-samarkand-by-craig-murray-411323.html ''Murder in Samarkand'', by Craig Murray: Tashkent tales of terror and tippling], ''[[The Independent]]'', 11 August 2006 |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:War on Terror books]] |
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[[Category:Books about Uzbekistan]] |
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[[Category:2006 non-fiction books]] |
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[[Category:Political scandals in the United Kingdom]] |
[[Category:Political scandals in the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Human rights abuses in Uzbekistan]] |
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[[Category:Foreign relations of Uzbekistan]] |
[[Category:Foreign relations of Uzbekistan]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Whistleblowing]] |
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[[Category:Non-fiction books about diplomacy]] |
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Latest revision as of 23:39, 5 March 2024
| Author | Craig Murray |
|---|---|
| Subject | Human rights in Uzbekistan |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
Publication date | 2006 |
| Pages | 410 |
Murder in Samarkand (published in the US under the title Dirty Diplomacy) is a non-fiction book by Scottish activist and former ambassador to Uzbekistan, Craig Murray. The book[1] forms an account of his period as the British ambassador in Tashkent in 2002–2004. In the work, Murray recounts his condemnation of human rights violations under the Karimov administration's suppression of human rights and alleged British double standards over torture in Iraq.
Publishing difficulties[edit]
The book was originally published by Mainstream (Edinburgh) in 2006 but only after several battles. Before its publication, many potential readers had been contacted through Internet posts and e-mail listings to raise interest and create a body of public opinion, to guard against the publisher being 'bullied' out of printing the book by government pressure. These communications also mentioned how supporting government documents which were originally planned for inclusion had been forcibly removed because of copyright laws. This, despite Murray's assertions that many had received a formal release and thus should have been in the public domain. Their forced removal, Murray has said, is the government "trying to claw back the very limited gains in Freedom of Information in the UK",[2] especially attempts to close websites on which the supporting documents were posted instead. Though many attempts to do this have proved successful, media interest has also meant that the documents frequently resurface on mirror sites.[3]
Portions of the documents were restored in the U.S. edition, published in October 2007.[4]
Cover controversy[edit]
A minor controversy involved the choice of photographs on the 2007 paperback edition, two of the three photos having been the same as those previously appearing in the 2004 Lonely Planet guide to Central Asia by Bradley Mayhew, Paul Clammer and Michael Kohn. Neither shows Samarkand. The rear cover of Murder in Samarkand uses the same photo of Bukhara that was the guide book's cover photo. Murray's front cover uses a sunset scene that had appeared on page 7 of the guide (and shows Khiva).[5] There were no copyright issues in this case as both photos were licensed through Getty Images.[6][7] Murray has stated he did not choose the cover and does not like its "masculine" appearance.
Film version[edit]
A film version of the book was in development. Paramount bought the rights and developed a script written by David Hare. Michael Winterbottom was attached to direct and actor Steve Coogan to play Murray. After disagreements over the script, Paramount passed on the project, their rights meaning no one else could produce Hare's script.[citation needed]
Radio play[edit]
Following Paramount's decision to pass on the film script, David Hare convinced them to release the audio rights to the script, and rewrote it as a radio play. The radio play of Murder in Samarkand was broadcast on 20 February 2010 on BBC Radio 4, with David Tennant as Murray.[8] The play was nominated for best drama at the Sony Radio Academy Awards 2011.[9]
References[edit]
- ^ "Murder in Samarkand — Documents". Craig Murray's blog. Retrieved 18 July 2008.
- ^ Murder in Samarkand, preface, page 13 (2007 paperback edition)
- ^ Craig Murray documents — The media catches on *UPDATED*, Blairwatch blog, 11 July 2006
- ^ Dirty Diplomacy, e.g. pages 60–64
- ^ Lonely Planet: Central Asia page 7
- ^ Murder in Samarkand, back page credit
- ^ Lonely Planet: Central Asia, page 512 credit
- ^ "BBC Radio 4 Programmes – Saturday Play, Murder in Samarkand". BBC. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
- ^ Hemley, Matthew (31 March 2011). "Nominations for Sony Radio Awards". The Stage. Retrieved 1 April 2011.