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Tajik Lawyer Jailed After Exposing Alleged Corruption in Prosecutor’s Office

In Tajikistan, 74-year-old lawyer Faizi Oli, also known as Faizali Yuldoshev, has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison after raising allegations of corruption within the prosecutor’s office. The Sino District Court in Dushanbe delivered its verdict on November 29. Oli was found guilty of “knowingly making a false denunciation” against employees of the prosecutor's office. However, he asserts that he merely exercised his right to file complaints with anti-corruption bodies, the Security Council, and the presidential administration, detailing what he described as evidence of corruption. A Controversial Case According to Oli’s lawyer, his complaints should have prompted an investigation, not legal proceedings against him. The court considered his advanced age when issuing the sentence, which fell below the minimum term of five years prescribed under Article 346 of the Tajik Criminal Code. The prosecution had sought a six-year prison term. Oli was arrested immediately after the verdict. Over the course of the five-month trial, he consistently maintained that the charges were baseless, and that filing complaints with the authorities is a legal right. This is not the first time Oli has been involved in a high-profile case; he previously defended his colleague, Saidnuriddin Shamsiddinov, who was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison on similar charges of false denunciation. At that time, Oli stressed the right of citizens to address grievances directly to the president and the Prosecutor General’s Office, a principle he believes is now being criminalized. Broader Context International human rights organizations have frequently criticized Tajikistan for targeting lawyers and human rights defenders. Many prominent figures, including Buzurgmehr Yorov, are serving lengthy prison sentences under controversial circumstances. Oli, known for his outspoken social media presence and comments on government operations, believes his activism may have influenced the court’s decision. He has announced plans to appeal the verdict after receiving the court’s written decision. The Prosecutor General's Office declined to comment on the case.

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U.S. Sanctions Former Uzbek Officials in Orphan Abuse Case

The United States has imposed sanctions on three former officials in Uzbekistan’s government who were involved in human trafficking as well as physical and sexual violence toward orphan children. The three people, who carried out the crimes during their tenure as government employees, are now ineligible for entry into the United States and any property or entities in the U.S. that they own are “blocked” in line with the sanctions, the U.S. Department of the Treasury said Monday. American citizens are also barred from doing any transactions related to the blocked assets, it said. The sanctioned individuals were identified as Yulduz Khudaiberganova, who was director of a state-run orphanage in Urgench, in Khorezm region, at the time of the abuses; Anvar Kuryazov, who was head of the Khorezm regional justice department; and Aybek Masharipov, who was head of the district emergency department. “For at least 10 months, Khudaiberganova forced at least three underage girls to engage in sexual acts with at least six different men in exchange for funds and goods,” said the Treasury statement, which was released on the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. “Khudaiberganova used various coercive tactics to ensure the girls’ compliance, including physical beatings, threats, starvation, and isolation from their peers. Both Masharipov and Kuryazov demanded sexual access to orphans in compensation for ‘gifts’ they provided to the orphanage. Kuryazov and Masharipov repeatedly visited the orphanage in order to prey upon the young girls,” it said. Uzbek media have previously reported on the case, saying a district court in Khorezm sentenced Khudaiberganova to five and a half years in prison, while the two men were given one and a half years of partial house arrest that barred them from leaving their homes from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The sentences were handed down in 2022 but an appeals court took up the case in 2023 after Nemolchi.uz, a non-governmental group that campaigns against gender-based violence, publicized the light sentences, causing a public outcry. Kuryazov and Masharipov were subsequently sentenced to three years in prison. “This was the most severe punishment given the legislation in force at the time of the crime,” Nemolchi.uz said on Telegram after the U.S. sanctions announcement. The group has pushed for tougher laws in Uzbekistan to shield children from sexual abuse, and the government has taken steps to strengthen protections.

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Justice for Veterans: U.S. Acknowledges Cancer Cases Tied to Service at Uzbekistan’s K2 Base

Thousands of American veterans who served at Uzbekistan’s K2 airbase have reported rare cancers and diseases - but only now, more than two decades later, is the U.S. government taking steps to address their dire situation. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced plans to include bladder, urinary tract, and genitourinary cancers as conditions presumed to be linked to service at Uzbekistan’s Karshi-Khanabad airbase, known as K2. In 2001, the U.S. military moved into K2, a former Soviet airbase, to support a series of operations named “Enduring Freedom” which were purportedly aimed at tackling terrorism and Al-Qaeda in the wake of 9/11. However, in addition to the threat of terrorism, the troops faced another danger: the toxic environment. Reports from the base describe exposure to chemicals and radioactive materials. Soldiers recalled an underground “black bubble,” glowing lakes, and a chemical odor lingering in the air. [caption id="attachment_26149" align="aligncenter" width="634"] Image: Stronghold Freedom Foundation[/caption] The Karshi-Khanabad airbase was heavily used by the Soviet military during its operations in Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989, when it served as a site for producing, storing, and testing various weapons, including chemical weapons. The base also stored fuel, solvents, and other harmful substances. Additionally, it became a dumping ground for toxic waste, asbestos, enriched uranium, and other hazardous materials. Spills of these substances were frequent, leaving lasting environmental damage. Before the U.S. occupied K2, the destruction of Soviet-era missiles left some soil contaminated with low-level radioactive depleted uranium. The destruction of Soviet missiles was part of disarmament obligations under the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. A 2001 survey found traces that could be harmful if inhaled, and a 2002 assessment confirmed small amounts of uranium, identified as non-U.S. depleted uranium, outside Camp Stronghold Freedom’s perimeter. The affected area was covered with clean soil, fenced off, and marked as off-limits in November 2001. Furthermore, approximately 392 chemical compounds were found at the K2 Air Base. Thousands of military personnel who served in K2 suffered from severe illnesses, including rare forms of cancer, associated with their time at the base. However, over the years, the U.S. government and the VA have delayed recognition of the link between service in K2 and these health issues, leaving many veterans without adequate support. [caption id="attachment_26150" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Image: Stronghold Freedom Foundation[/caption] According to the Stronghold Freedom Foundation, K2 veterans are 500% more likely to get cancer than other veterans - 75% of U.S. service members deployed to Uzbekistan alone have developed at least one type of K2-related illness. On November 11, President Joe Biden announced an expansion of the PACT Act (Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act), a law he signed in August 2022 to improve healthcare for veterans exposed to toxins. President Biden stated that the act has already helped over a million veterans and their families access benefits. Under new efforts, the VA will add bladder cancer, ureter cancer, multiple myeloma, and certain types of leukemia to the list of presumptive conditions. This expansion applies...

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Swiss Bank Implicated in Corruption Scheme Linked to Islam Karimov’s Daughter

Swiss bank Banque Lombard Odier & Cie SA faces allegations of violating anti-money laundering regulations concerning funds linked to Gulnara Karimova, the controversial daughter of Uzbekistan’s first president, Islam Karimov. The Swiss Attorney General's Office revealed that the bank managed nine suspicious accounts tied to Karimova’s organization, the "Office," despite clear violations of external regulations and internal policies. A former bank manager was also charged with facilitating the scheme between 2005 and 2012. According to investigators, the "Office" functioned solely as a front to launder funds derived from corruption in Uzbekistan’s telecommunications sector. It reportedly had no legitimate business operations and employed no staff. The investigation found that the banker deliberately provided false information to obscure Karimova’s role as the ultimate beneficiary of the accounts. The individual is also accused of destroying or concealing documents that could have exposed the illegal origins of the funds. From 2011 to 2012, the banker allegedly allowed unauthorized access to a safe linked to the “Office,” enabling the removal of critical evidence supporting fraudulent transactions. Gulnara Karimova was once a prominent figure in her father’s administration, known for her roles as a singer, fashion designer, socialite, businesswoman, and diplomat. At one point, she was even considered a potential successor to Islam Karimov. However, by late 2013, her relationship with her father deteriorated, resulting in her political downfall. By 2014, her residence was raided, and she was implicated in a corruption case involving Swedish telecom giant TeliaSonera. Her legal troubles escalated, with convictions in 2015 for embezzlement, public fund misappropriation, and tax evasion, leading to a five-year sentence. This was extended in 2017, placing her under house arrest alongside her daughter. In 2019, Karimova was moved to a penal colony for violating house arrest conditions. In 2020, she was sentenced to an additional 13 years for crimes including creating a criminal association, extortion, and embezzlement. In September 2023, the Swiss General Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against Karimova in the Federal Court. Prosecutors allege that foreign companies seeking entry into Uzbekistan’s telecommunications market were coerced into paying bribes through entities within the “Office” structure.' Karimova’s legal troubles extend beyond Uzbekistan. British courts have confiscated properties linked to her, valued at over £20 million. The ongoing investigation into her global operations has drawn attention to her role in one of the largest corruption cases in Uzbekistan’s history. This latest scandal has deepened scrutiny of Karimova’s dealings and raised questions about the accountability of financial institutions enabling such schemes.

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Russian Journalist Pivovarov Detained After Filming Cotton Fields in Karakalpakstan

Alexey Pivovarov, a Russian journalist and YouTuber, was detained in Nukus, the capital of the autonomous Uzbek republic of Karakalpakstan. He was questioned by authorities along with the photography team for his project, Redaktsiya (Editorial), and Feride Makhsetova, a journalist from the local news portal Hook. Their arrest was initially reported by Hook. The journalists were detained "for an interview", supposedly following a complaint by an unidentified citizen. Authorities confiscated the visual material collected by the team, who, according to Pivovarov on his Telegram channel, had been filming in one of the region's cotton fields. The Karakalpakstan branch of the Agency for Information and Mass Communications claimed that the detentions occurred because the journalists were not accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Later, Pivovarov, Makhsetova, and their team were released by the Nukus Department of Internal Affairs. They subsequently traveled to Tashkent without the materials they had filmed in Karakalpakstan. The Russian Embassy in Uzbekistan addressed the incident, stating that it had contacted Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and would provide support to the Russian citizens involved. In a message on his Telegram channel, Pivovarov described the officials in Nukus as “friendly and polite.”

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Kyrgyz Health Ministry Pushes for Laws to Shield Medics from Violence

The Kyrgyz Ministry of Health has called for amendments to the country’s criminal code to establish a legal framework protecting medical professionals from violence by citizens. The proposed measures aim to address a growing concern for the safety of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers. “Violence against medical workers is a serious problem that requires immediate action,” the ministry stated in its justification for the bill. “Doctors, nurses, and other staff face physical aggression from patients, relatives, or even bystanders. This threatens the health and lives of medical personnel and disrupts the normal functioning of healthcare institutions.” The ministry emphasized that threats or acts of physical harm create a stressful work environment, distract medical workers from their duties, and may lead to errors in diagnosing and treating patients. Proposed Penalties The Ministry of Health outlined specific punishments for various forms of violence and disrespect toward medical workers: • Minor harm: A fine of up to 100,000 KGS ($1,200), correctional labor for six months to one year, or deprivation of the right to hold certain positions. • Severe harm: A fine or imprisonment for one to three years. Additionally, the ministry seeks penalties for disrespectful or insulting behavior toward doctors. This includes demonstrating obscene gestures, verbal abuse, or indecent conduct, which could also result in fines or correctional labor. Growing Concerns Healthcare workers in Kyrgyzstan have long faced violence in their workplaces. After several incidents of attacks on doctors by patients and their relatives, the National Hospital implemented stricter security measures, including the installation of panic buttons and video surveillance cameras. Medical professionals have voiced the need for stronger protections to ensure a safer working environment. The proposed amendments aim to deter violence and foster greater respect for those who provide critical healthcare services.