Hidoyatova was initially sentenced to 10 years in jail in March for charges that stemmed from alleged business dealings.
But the appeals court today commuted her sentence to a seven-year suspended jail term with three years' probation. Hidoyatova also had to pay 120 million Uzbek soms ($100,000) in bail.
AFP quotes rights campaigners as saying her remaining sentence should be lifted if new charges are not brought against her during the probation period. Hidoyatova has consistently denied the accusations made against her, and supporters have accused authorities of targeting her for political reasons.
Sunshine Uzbekistan has criticized President Islam Karimov's government for the bloody military crackdown that followed last year's unrest in the eastern city of Andijon.
(fergana.ru, AFP)
Andijon Anniversary Conference
Violence in Andijon, Uzbekistan, on May 14, 2005 (epa)
LISTEN
Listen to the Andijon conference.Part One (70 minutes):
Real Audio Windows Media
Part Two (60 minutes):
Real Audio Windows Media
The Uzbek government's response:
Real Audio Windows Media
THE COMPLETE STORY: A dedicated webpage bringing together all of RFE/RL's coverage of the events in Andijon, Uzbekistan, in May 2005 and their continuing repercussions.
CHRONOLOGY
For an annotated timeline of the Andijon events and their repercussions, click here.