A journalist and opposition activist in the Central Asian republic of Uzbekistan, Muhammad Bekjanov, has been freed after serving 18 years in prison. <br/><br/>He was convicted of attempting to kill the late President, Islam Karimov, but has said he was tortured into confessing to fabricated charges. Mr Bekjanov is a brother of exiled opposition leader Muhammad Salih. <br/><br/>He and a colleague are thought to have been in jail longer than any other journalists in the world. His colleague, Yusuf Ruzimuradov, remains in prison.<br/><br/>According to the BBC, Mr Bekjanov's release may reflect a change in government policy under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who took over in December.