Uzbekistan Justice - The Times Of Central Asia

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Court Cases

Uzbek Court Sentences Ten in Attempted Assassination of Allamjonov

On February 12, Uzbekistan's Military Court announced the verdict in the attempted assassination of Komil Allamjonov, sentencing ten individuals to prison. The convicted are Shukhrat Rasulov, Shokhrukh Akhmedov, and Ismail Jahongirov, who received 23-year sentences; Javlan Yunusov - sentenced to 18 years and 6 months; Doniyor Tashkhodjayev received a 7-year sentence; the remaining five defendants were given undisclosed prison terms. Following the verdict, Allamjonov took to Facebook to reflect on the challenges of the past five months and express gratitude that the case had been resolved. “The truth can be twisted or hidden, but it will always find its way to the surface. It is destined to be revealed. A thousand thanks to Allah. Those who flee from people cannot escape the Almighty. There is still much to accomplish and many trials yet to come. May Allah grant us the strength to face them with dignity and a clear conscience. May Allah bless us all with success!” Allamjonov, a former senior official in Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration, was attacked near his home in Qibray on October 26, 2024. Gunmen opened fire on his car, but he was unharmed. Authorities launched an immediate criminal investigation. By October 27, the first suspect had been detained. A month later, on November 25, the Prosecutor General’s Office announced the arrests of seven people, including Javlan Yunusov, who was extradited from South Korea. Another suspect was later detained in Kazakhstan. In December, Uzbekistan placed two Russian citizens, Bislan Rasayev and Shamil Temirkhanov, on an Interpol international wanted list. Authorities accuse them of involvement in the attack, as well as illegal border crossing, failure to report a crime, and illegal possession of firearms. Reports suggest that Rasayev and Temirkhanov were hired for $1.5 million to assassinate both Allamjonov and Dmitry Li, the director of Uzbekistan’s Agency for Promising Projects. On December 26, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov publicly denied any Chechen involvement in the attack. However, he also made remarks targeting Allamjonov and Li, warning that they would be held accountable for their "aspersions." Some Uzbek politicians condemned Kadyrov's statement, viewing it as interference in Uzbekistan's internal affairs or even as an act of terrorist intimidation.

Justice

Uzbek National Arrested in Florida Voter Fraud Case

An Uzbek national residing in Florida been arrested for allegedly submitting fraudulent voter registration applications, the U.S. Department of Justice has announced. According to U.S. authorities, Sanjar Jamilov, a 33-year-old Uzbek citizen living in the Florida town of St. Petersburg, conspired to file 132 false applications with election officials in Pinellas County in early 2023. The fraudulent applications, submitted under different names, exhibited clear signs of irregularity, including identical formatting, repeated birth dates, and nearly sequential Social Security numbers. The suspects also directed election-related mail to addresses they controlled. Jamilov has been charged with conspiracy to commit voter registration fraud and providing false information during registration. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. The arrests come shortly after the U.S. presidential election in November 2024, in which Republican candidate Donald Trump won and has recently begun his second term. Authorities have emphasized that investigations are ongoing, and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Legislation

Uzbekistan May Reduce Prison Sentences for Inmates Who Read Books

Uzbekistan is considering a new initiative that would reduce prison sentences for inmates who engage in reading, as part of efforts to promote rehabilitation and personal development. Proposal Details The Milliy Tiklanish (National Revival) party has been advocating for this initiative for several years, inspired by similar practices in other countries. According to the party’s press service, a draft law has now been developed to bring the proposal to life. Under the proposed legislation, prisoners who read one book from an approved list and pass an exam on its content could have their sentences reduced by three days. The program would allow inmates to read up to 10 books per year, potentially reducing their sentences by up to 30 days annually. The reading list will be curated and managed by the Republican Center for Spirituality and Enlightenment, ensuring that the selected books align with the program’s goals of fostering intellectual and moral growth. International Inspiration The concept of reducing prison sentences through reading is not unique to Uzbekistan. Last year, Russian politician Vladislav Davankov proposed a similar initiative for inmates in pretrial detention centers and prisons. Davankov argued that reading programs could play a vital role in the rehabilitation and resocialization of prisoners. Kazakhstan has already taken steps in this direction. In 2021, the country launched a pilot project in correctional facilities in the Karaganda region. Under this program, inmates read books from an approved list, retell the content to a commission, and write essays summarizing the material. Positive evaluations by the commission can lead to improved detention conditions or even early release. Broader Implications If implemented, the program in Uzbekistan could serve as a tool to encourage education, personal growth, and rehabilitation among inmates. By focusing on intellectual engagement, the initiative could help prisoners reintegrate into society upon release and reduce recidivism rates. While the draft law is still in the development stage, it reflects Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to modernize its prison system and promote rehabilitation over punishment. If successful, the initiative could become a model for other countries in the region seeking to implement progressive approaches to criminal justice.

Justice

Uzbek Businessman Salim Abduvaliyev Released from Prison Due to Illness

Salim Abduvaliyev, a well-known Uzbek businessman commonly referred to as “Salimboy,” was released from prison on January 12 due to health complications. According to Kun.uz, Abduvaliyev has been battling a serious illness for an extended period. Born in Tashkent in 1950, Abduvaliyev was previously active in Uzbekistan’s sports administration, serving as deputy chairman of the National Olympic Committee and chairman of the Uzbekistan Sports Wrestling Association. Abduvaliyev was detained in early December 2023 on charges of illegal possession of firearms. On March 19, 2024, the Mirabad District Court of Tashkent City found him guilty under Article 248, Paragraph 2 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, which pertains to the illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives. He was sentenced to six years in prison. His release this week was granted under Article 75 of the Criminal Code, which allows for the early release of prisoners suffering from severe illnesses that make it impossible for them to serve their sentences. While serving his sentence in August 2024, the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan issued an arrest warrant against Abduvaliyev. Reports alleged that he had financed an organized criminal group led by Kamchybek Kolbaev. Kolbaev, a notorious figure linked to heroin trafficking and a member of the international criminal network known as the “Brothers’ Circle” (Bratva), was a wanted individual by the U.S. Department of State. Kolbaev was killed during a security operation in Bishkek in October 2023 at the age of 49.

Legislation

Uzbekistan Adds to List of Banned Extremist Content

The Supreme Court of Uzbekistan has significantly expanded its list of materials classified as extremist, terrorist, or fanatical, prohibiting their import, production, distribution, and display within the country. Compared to last year’s version, which included over 800 items, the updated list now features 1,389 banned materials in audio, video, and text formats. The list has grown considerably across social media platforms: 203 Facebook pages (up from approximately 150); 713 Telegram channels (almost doubling from 400); 226 Instagram accounts (previously around 100); 135 YouTube channels; 35 Odnoklassniki pages; 44 TikTok pages; 13 websites; and 20 other sources. The identification of these materials is a joint effort by the Committee on Religious Affairs, the State Security Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Agency for Information and Mass Communications. Legal Framework Under Uzbekistan’s Law on Countering Extremism, the distribution, storage, or demonstration of such materials is strictly prohibited, and access to them must be restricted. Violations of these provisions may result in criminal liability under the nation’s Criminal Code, as they pose a threat to public security and order. Historical Context Uzbekistan has steadily tightened its measures to combat extremist content. In 2018, the government adopted a decree allowing the blocking of media outlets that “promote extremist, propaganda, or hateful content on the Internet”. The following year, the Ministry of Justice published a list of 40 information resources identified as extremist. Subsequent updates to the list have reflected the government’s evolving focus on countering online extremism.

Crime

Four Arrested in Connection with Journalist Inessa Papernaya’s Death

Russian journalist Inessa Papernaya, known for her work with lenta.ru and profile.ru, was found dead in a hotel in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on October 20, 2024. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Papernaya was vacationing in Uzbekistan and staying at the Karaman Palace Hotel with her companion, Maxim Radchenko. Hotel staff discovered their bodies after receiving no response during a package delivery. Another Uzbek citizen was also found dead in the bathroom of a separate hotel room. According to forensic medical examination reports, the deaths were caused by respiratory failure due to acute poisoning from carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide gases. Investigations revealed that the hotel's boilers, which had exceeded their service life, were the source of the carbon monoxide leakage. The boilers also had faulty condensate discharge systems and were improperly connected to the sewage system. A comprehensive forensic investigation conducted by the Republican Center of Forensic Expertise uncovered multiple issues with the hotel’s gas equipment. The boilers were found to be outdated and had been modified in ways that violated safety standards. Key modifications included the removal of the siphon in the condensate discharge system, which allowed the discharge pipe to connect directly to the sewage system, creating hazardous conditions for gas leakage. Additionally, the installation of the equipment did not adhere to technical and safety regulations, and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems failed to meet the required standards, further increasing the risk of poisoning. In response to these findings, four individuals were arrested in connection with the fatalities. Khojakulov, the hotel owner, along with Jamoldinov and Yusupov, suppliers of the faulty boilers, and Kurbonov, the plumber responsible for the installation, face charges under Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code for providing unsafe equipment and services resulting in multiple deaths. The suspects remain in custody as legal proceedings continue.