Uzbekistan: Islam Karimov statue in Samarqand

Islam Karimov was the first president of independent Uzbekistan, leading the country from the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 until his death in 2016. He is credited with maintaining stability and building the foundations of the modern Uzbek state, though his rule was also marked by tight political control and restrictions on dissent. His legacy remains highly visible across the country, with monuments, museums, and public spaces reflecting the significant role he played in shaping post-Soviet Uzbekistan.  Below is a statue of him in Samarqand, with a bird on his head.