Uzbekistan Justice - The Times Of Central Asia

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Shooting

“I Miss Everything:” Friends, Officials Mourn Uzbek Student Slain in the U.S.

MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, one of two students killed by a gunman at Brown University on Dec. 13, seemed to be making the most of life after moving to the United States from Uzbekistan with his family some years ago. He hoped to become a neurosurgeon, according to a sister, and his acceptance into the elite university in Rhode Island signaled that he was on the way to achieving his goals. So, the killing of Umurzokov, along with that of student Ella Cook of Alabama, hit hard for some people who, though accustomed to periodic news of mass shootings in the United States, were especially saddened that lives of such promise ended in violence. In Umurzokov’s case, he was mourned from the halls of power and diplomacy in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent to the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia, where he went to high school. “The loss of innocent lives as a result of this tragedy is a heavy loss for all of us,” Akhror Burkhanov, press secretary for Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on X. “Representatives of the missions of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the United States are in constant contact with the relatives of the deceased and are working closely with the relevant U.S. agencies on all issues.” Jonathan Henick, the U.S. ambassador to Uzbekistan, also expressed his sadness over the killings at Brown. “We extend our sincere condolences to Mr. Umurzokov’s family, friends, and fellow students and mourn the loss of his bright future,” Henick said in a statement. He added the Uzbek-language phrase: “Marhumni Xudo rahmat qilsin” (May God have mercy on the deceased). The Uzbek American Association issued a tribute to the Uzbek student, saying: “His passing has left an immeasurable void in the hearts of his family, friends, classmates, and the broader Uzbek American community.” Some comments from old friends in the United States suggested that Umurzokov, as a member of the Uzbek diaspora, was integrated into the rhythms of American life. “I miss everything,” Jameson Huang said on the GoFundMe page that was set up by Umurzokov’s sister, Samira Umurzokova. “Let’s catch up one day in Publix, drinking Arizonas and eating mac and cheese. Let’s race our cars and see who’s faster. Let’s redo the chaos of the college application cycle and the late night calls and hangouts. One day man, one day. For now, rest easy and stay safe up there.”

Shooting

Uzbek Student Among Two Killed in Brown University Shooting

Two students were killed, and nine others were injured in a shooting on the campus of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, a tragic event that has drawn international attention. Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that one of the deceased was an Uzbek national. The shooting occurred overnight on December 13-14 at the Ivy League institution. The death of Muhammad Aziz Umurzoqov was first reported by family members through a fundraising appeal on the GoFundMe platform and later officially confirmed by the press secretary of Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry. In the GoFundMe statement, Umurzoqov was remembered as a kind, intelligent, and compassionate young man who dreamed of becoming a neurosurgeon. “He always lent a helping hand to anyone in need without hesitation,” the family wrote. As of 10:30 a.m. Uzbekistan time on December 15, donations had reached $171,326. The family stated that a portion of the funds would be donated to charity in his name. Initial reports from CNN, citing law enforcement sources, indicated that a 24-year-old man from Wisconsin had been detained in connection with the incident. However, Brown University later clarified that the man had been released. In an official statement, the university said Providence police had found “no basis” to consider him a person of interest, a conclusion also confirmed by the Rhode Island Attorney General. Brown University confirmed that two students were fatally shot, while nine others sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical. Law enforcement authorities have stated there is no immediate threat to the campus or surrounding community, though the investigation remains ongoing. Providence police are leading the investigation in coordination with local, state, and federal agencies. In response, Brown University has significantly increased its on-campus police presence, with the Department of Public Safety more than doubling its staff. Authorities have established a dedicated tip line and urged anyone with relevant information to contact the Providence Police Department. University officials have reiterated their commitment to campus safety and urged students, faculty, and staff to remain alert as the investigation progresses.

Freedom of Speech

Information Sovereignty? Central Asia Tightens Control Over Its Information Space

Across the post-Soviet space, governments are adopting new measures that affect the scope of free expression. Similar trends are visible in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and parts of Eastern Europe, reflecting wider global shifts in how states manage their information environments. In Central Asia, where journalism has long faced political constraints, recent policies indicate a renewed emphasis on controlling the flow of information. From Georgia to Kazakhstan: Pushback Against Foreign Narratives Recent events in Georgia highlight these changes. The adoption of a controversial “foreign agents” law, widely described as a Russian-style or “pro-Russian” measure, reflected the ruling party’s growing hostility to foreign-funded media and NGOs, many backed by European donors, and triggered mass pro-EU protests in Tbilisi. Similar dynamics are emerging in Central Asia, where officials increasingly view foreign narratives as interference in domestic affairs. In Kazakhstan, legislative restrictions on so-called "LGBT propaganda" have sparked both domestic protests and criticism from international partners. At the same time, well-known media figure Gulnar Bazhkenova, editor-in-chief of Orda.kz, has been placed under house arrest, an episode that underscores the tightening environment for journalists. The Bazhkenova Case: A Turning Point for Kazakh Media Bazhkenova, a prominent editor known for critical coverage of Kazakhstan’s political elite and security services, came under scrutiny after Orda.kz falsely reported the arrest of Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, an unverified claim that was quickly debunked. Although Nurtleu remained in his position immediately afterward, he was dismissed later in September, prompting speculation that the incident had political consequences. Soon after his departure, law enforcement launched an investigation into Bazhkenova. On December 1, Almaty police searched her residence and the offices of Orda.kz. Authorities stated that a 2024 article had disseminated false information regarding a law enforcement officer allegedly caught accepting a bribe, an incident that officials assert never occurred. Another article reportedly misrepresented details in a property dispute, allegedly damaging the business reputation of the involved party. The Almaty police have since opened additional investigations into past publications from Orda.kz that may contain misleading content. Media organizations have largely responded with condemnation, urging the authorities to decriminalize the dissemination of false information and instead treat such cases under civil law. However, the Union of Journalists of Kazakhstan issued a pointed statement calling on media professionals to “treat the preparation and dissemination of information responsibly. Individual cases for the dissemination of inaccurate information cast a shadow on the entire journalistic community of our country,” the organization said. An implicit acknowledgment, perhaps, that Bazhkenova’s actions may have crossed legal or ethical boundaries. Parallel Cases and Regional Patterns While suppression of the media in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan has long been widespread, Kyrgyzstan - long considered the most politically open country in Central Asia - has also moved to tighten control over its information space. In early 2024, authorities introduced a controversial “foreign representatives” law requiring NGOs and media outlets receiving international funding to register under a special status, echoing legislation seen in Russia and Georgia. Independent outlets such as Kloop, Temirov Live, and Azattyk...

Boxing

Uzbek boxer Mullojonov Gets Three-Year Suspension for Doping Violation

Uzbek heavyweight boxer Lazizbek Mullojonov, who won Olympic gold in Paris last year, has been suspended from amateur bouts for three years because of doping, the International Testing Agency said. “The athlete tested positive for the prohibited substance methasterone metabolites after providing an out-of-competition sample on 11 June 2025,” the agency said in a statement on Friday on behalf of World Boxing, which governs international amateur boxing. Methasterone is a steroid that enhances muscle and strength. The agency said Mullojonov, 26, has agreed to the suspension, which was reduced by one year from the standard period of four years “due to his early admission” of the anti-doping violation. The agency is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The suspension is retroactive to July 22 of this year, when Mullojonov was provisionally suspended pending the outcome of an investigation, and runs until July 21, 2028. The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles take place from July 14-30. Under the ruling on Friday, Mullojonov’s competitive results between June 11 of this year, the date of a sample collection, and July 22 are disqualified. The Uzbekistan Boxing Federation had said Mullojonov may have ingested “prohibited doping substances” during a hair transplant last year. It said the surgery occurred on November 19, 2024, at a private clinic in Fergana city in Uzbekistan after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The athlete may have taken medications containing banned substances that were provided by the clinic during the treatment. Mullojonov also won gold in the super-heavyweight category at the Asian Championships in 2022. Despite the suspension from amateur competition, Mullojonov can compete in some professional fights, including one in which he defeated Nigerian boxer Monyasahu Muritador in Tashkent on Friday.

Military Service

Uzbek Consulate Assists Citizen Misled into Russian Army Contract

Uzbekistan’s Consulate General in St. Petersburg has intervened to assist an Uzbek citizen who was allegedly misled into signing a contract to serve in the Russian Armed Forces, the Consulate announced on November 12. According to the Consulate, a citizen identified as K.M. appealed for help after their child, K.R., reportedly signed the contract while held in pre-trial detention in Kolpino, Leningrad Region. K.R. had been taken into custody on charges of intentionally inflicting minor bodily harm on another Uzbek national. K.M. told consular officials that K.R. suffers from serious mental health issues and had been deceived into agreeing to military service while in detention. The parent requested that the Consulate assist in nullifying the agreement. The Consulate stated that it had promptly contacted the relevant Russian authorities, including the Human Rights Commissioner for Leningrad Region, urging a review of the case and protection of the detainee’s legal rights. As a result of these efforts, Russian officials acknowledged K.R.’s objections to military service. The Consulate confirmed that no military contract was finalized and that the detainee was returned to the Kolpino detention center, where the investigation remains ongoing. The Consulate emphasized that it is closely monitoring the case and will continue to safeguard the legal rights and interests of the Uzbek citizen. The Times of Central Asia has previously reported on several instances in which Central Asian migrants have faced pressure to join Russia’s military amid recruitment campaigns targeting foreign nationals, particularly migrant workers.

Forced Labor

Nineteen Uzbek Citizens Repatriated from Ukraine After Forced Labor Exploitation

Nineteen Uzbek nationals who were found in exploitative labor conditions in Ukraine’s Kyiv region have been safely repatriated to Uzbekistan, according to the Dunyo news agency. Ukrainian media had previously reported that the group was subjected to forced labor at a greenhouse facility in the region. In response, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Kyiv, working in coordination with Ukraine’s National Police and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) offices in Ukraine and Moldova, launched an urgent operation to secure their release and safe return. Dunyo reports that the embassy took swift and comprehensive measures to safeguard the victims’ rights, address documentation issues, and facilitate their departure. Following negotiations, all 19 individuals were officially recognized as victims under Ukrainian law, allowing them to avoid legal penalties or administrative charges. On October 28, with financial and logistical support from the IOM, the group was transported by road from Kyiv to Chișinău, Moldova. While in the Moldovan capital, they were provided with food, shelter, and essential services. On November 2 the group flew from Chișinău to Istanbul, arriving in Urgench in Uzbekistan on November 3, accompanied by IOM representatives. The operation was hailed as part of Uzbekistan’s broader commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of its citizens abroad. The Uzbek Embassy in Ukraine continues to monitor the status of its nationals in the country and respond promptly to any reported violations.