Uzbekistan - The Times Of Central Asia

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Russian Language

Russia to Measure Russian Language Influence Abroad, Focus on Uzbekistan

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commissioned a new research initiative to evaluate the effectiveness of its global Russian language promotion efforts, with a particular focus on Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. According to the Russian daily Vedomosti, the state-funded All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (ARPOR) secured the contract, valued at 34.8 million rubles (approximately $390,000). ARPOR Director Valery Fedorov confirmed that the study has not yet begun, as the contract is still being finalized. When asked whether recent diplomatic strains between Russia and Azerbaijan might affect the initiative, Fedorov replied, “Escalations come and go.” While the focus includes several post-Soviet states, the survey will also encompass countries such as India, China, Venezuela, and the United Arab Emirates. ARPOR previously conducted a similar study in 2024 in Israel, Kazakhstan, China, Cuba, Egypt, and India. The current research will survey at least 1,500 people online and a minimum of 1,000 participants via phone or in-person interviews in each country. A ten-member expert team specializing in linguistics, international relations, culture, and media will analyze the results. The initiative will culminate in a roundtable discussion in Moscow. Rossotrudnichestvo, the Russian government agency responsible for promoting cultural and educational ties abroad, told Vedomosti that more than 14,000 individuals studied Russian at its "Russian House" cultural centers across 71 countries in 2024. Uzbekistan remains one of the agency’s core focus areas, alongside Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. In Uzbekistan, over 1,000 schools offer instruction in Russian or in bilingual formats. In contrast, Kazakhstan has more than 3,600 such schools. Russian retains official language status in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, while in Tajikistan it is designated as a “language of interethnic communication.” In Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, however, Russian does not have any official legal status. In Kazakhstan, the use of Russian has been in gradual decline, largely due to demographic shifts. As of January 1, 2024, ethnic Russians made up 14.89% of the population, down sharply from nearly 40% in 1989. Nevertheless, Russian remains widely spoken and is supported by educational institutions and strong bilateral ties with Moscow. Experts cited by Vedomosti noted that conditions for Russian language education are significantly more challenging outside urban centers like Tashkent and Baku. In many schools across Uzbekistan, Russian is taught for just two hours per week, insufficient to meet growing demand, they argue. While interest in the Russian language remains steady, analysts say this is driven more by pragmatic factors, such as aspirations to study at Russian universities or pursue employment with Russian firms, than by cultural affinity or the effectiveness of Moscow’s soft power outreach.

Nuclear Energy

Uzbekistan to Join International Nuclear Liability Agreement

Uzbekistan is set to join the 1963 Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage, following its approval by the Senate during the chamber’s eighth plenary session. According to the Senate press service, lawmakers reviewed and passed the legislation confirming Uzbekistan’s accession to the international treaty. By joining the convention, Uzbekistan will adopt globally recognized legal standards for managing nuclear incidents. The treaty establishes a framework for liability in the event of nuclear accidents and sets out rules for compensating damages. It also mandates that nuclear facility operators provide financial guarantees to cover potential claims. Senators emphasized that accession will strengthen the country's legal framework on nuclear safety, enhance public trust, and promote international cooperation in the sector. “Joining the Vienna Convention means that in the event of a nuclear incident, Uzbek citizens will be better protected, and the country will be part of a global system that ensures compensation is paid fairly,” one official said. The core aim of the convention is to define the legal responsibilities of nuclear operators and ensure a minimum level of financial protection for victims. Officials noted that the move would integrate Uzbekistan into the global nuclear legal regime, enhance systems for insurance and compensation, and clarify the government’s role in regulating the industry. Kazakhstan is currently the only Central Asian country that is party to the Vienna Convention, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Uzbekistan’s accession will make it the second country in the region to join. Officials also said the decision will deepen collaboration with the IAEA and enable Uzbekistan to participate in additional international initiatives related to nuclear energy and safety. The Senate approved the legislation unanimously at the end of the session.

Justice

Humans Group Files Arbitration Against Uzbekistan Over Alleged Investment Violations

Humans Mobile Ltd, a subsidiary of the Singapore-based Humans Group, has initiated arbitration proceedings against Uzbekistan at the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The case, registered under ARB/25/24, alleges that Uzbekistan violated a 2003 bilateral investment treaty between the two countries. According to an official statement published by Bilaterals, Humans Mobile seeks compensation for damages it claims were caused by the actions of several Uzbek state authorities. The company argues that these actions disrupted its operations and compromised the rule of law in the country. “We have always believed in Uzbekistan and its citizens,” said Vladimir Dobrynin, CEO and founder of Humans Group. “But transformation efforts must be supported by fair and predictable rules. Arbitration is a standard process to protect investors against unfair treatment.” Dobrynin added that the arbitration aims not only to secure compensation but also to promote legal stability and strengthen the investment climate in Uzbekistan. Humans Group operates in the United States, Uzbekistan, Poland, Singapore, and Germany. Its Uzbek venture, Humans.uz, functions as a “super app” combining financial services, mobile communications, grocery delivery, and online retail. Market Dispute with Uzbektelecom In a separate but related development, Humans filed a complaint on May 8, 2025, with Uzbekistan’s Antimonopoly Committee, requesting an investigation into the state-owned telecom operator Uzbektelecom. The company accuses Uzbektelecom of abusing its dominant market position by maintaining high internet prices. As a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), Humans relies on Uzbektelecom’s infrastructure under a contract signed in May 2020. According to the complaint, while global internet prices have declined since 2021, Uzbektelecom has not adjusted its rates accordingly. Humans argues that despite lowering its own prices to stay competitive, unchanging infrastructure costs now account for 58% of its total service costs, making its business model unsustainable. “There is no economic reason to maintain such high prices. Uzbektelecom is receiving unjustified profit at the expense of infrastructure users like us,” the company stated in its complaint, as quoted by Spot. Humans also revealed that it has incurred significant debt due to what it describes as “monopoly-level pricing.” In a March 27, 2024, warning letter, Uzbektelecom demanded repayment of 532 billion Uzbek soums, comprising 361 billion in outstanding payments and over 170 billion in penalties. The company warned that internet speeds would be throttled starting March 1, 2025, with full disconnection by June 1 if the debt remains unpaid. Legal action may also follow. Uzbekistan’s Track Record in Arbitration This is not the first time Uzbekistan has faced international arbitration. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Uzbekistan won a case brought by Turkish textile firm Bursel Tekstil, which had sought $700 million in damages over alleged breaches of cotton pricing and tax policy commitments. The tribunal ultimately ruled in favor of Uzbekistan and ordered Bursel to pay legal costs. In another high-profile case reported by The Times of Central Asia, the ICSID ruled in May 2024 that Kyrgyzstan must return four resorts to Uzbekistan. The tribunal found that Kyrgyzstan...

TikToker Arrest

TikToker Arrested for Insulting Uzbek Citizens Online

Valeriy Yugay, a TikToker from Uzbekistan’s Tashkent region known online as Abdullah, has been arrested after making a series of offensive videos targeting Uzbek citizens while abroad. According to Bobur Tulaganov, spokesperson for the Tashkent Regional Department of Internal Affairs, Yugay recorded and published the videos during his stay in South Korea in October and November 2024. In the videos, he allegedly insulted Uzbeks, made statements that could incite ethnic hatred, and expressed disrespect for national values and religious beliefs. Yugay was returned to Uzbekistan on March 25, arriving on a flight from Abu Dhabi to Samarkand, where he was immediately detained by law enforcement authorities. A criminal case has been opened against him under Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, and a court has ordered his pre-trial detention while the investigation proceeds. The 26-year-old reportedly made several inflammatory statements, including denying the legitimacy of the Uzbek state, expressing regret about being born there, and vowing never to return. In one particularly controversial video, he insulted Uzbek women and claimed he would harm his own mother in exchange for social media likes and followers. The Internal Affairs Department stated that his remarks sparked widespread public outrage across Uzbekistan. Following his arrest, Yugay admitted guilt and issued a public apology. “I, Valeriy Yugay, insulted our people on social media. I did it for attention and recognition. But now I realize my mistake and deeply regret it. I sincerely apologize to everyone,” he said.

Corruption

Belgium Transfers $108 Million in Seized Assets to State Treasury Following Uzbek Corruption Probe

On March 28, 2025, the Brussels Public Prosecutor instructed Belgium’s Central Office for Seizure and Confiscation (COSC) to transfer $108 million in confiscated assets to the Belgian state treasury. The funds, now officially the property of the Belgian government, were seized in connection with an international corruption investigation linked to Uzbekistan. The case stems from a years-long probe into illicit payments and bribes tied to telecom contracts in Uzbekistan. The funds were allegedly laundered and routed through various jurisdictions before being frozen in Belgium at the request of Uzbek authorities. The investigation, based on international legal cooperation and the UN Convention Against Corruption, initially led to the freezing of approximately $200 million. A Dutch-language court in Brussels later ruled that the full amount, including accrued interest, should be permanently confiscated. The court also ordered the funds to be split between Belgium and Uzbekistan, applying a restitution model similar to those used among European Union member states. As a result, another $108 million is expected to be transferred to Uzbekistan in the near future. In 2022, Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Justice Muzraf Ikramov publicly stated that assets worth $240 million, linked to a criminal group associated with Gulnara Karimova, had been located in Belgium. He noted that cooperation between Uzbek and Belgian law enforcement agencies had been established to facilitate their return. When contacted by Kun.uz for comment, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Justice said that details of the investigation remain classified. “Since the investigation process in Belgium is not over, and due to the confidentiality rules, it is not possible to disclose much information about these assets,” a ministry official said.

Transport and Logistics

Kyrgyz Lawmaker Challenges $15 Tint Fee for Drivers Crossing into Uzbekistan

Kyrgyz drivers crossing into Uzbekistan are being charged a $15 fee if their vehicle windows are tinted, a policy that has drawn criticism from Kyrgyz lawmaker Dastan Bekeshev. Speaking during an April 2 session of the Jogorku Kenesh (Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan), Bekeshev urged the government to either introduce a reciprocal fee for Uzbek vehicles entering Kyrgyzstan or to negotiate with Tashkent to eliminate the charge altogether. Addressing Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, Bekeshev explained that many Kyrgyz citizens regularly travel between Jalal-Abad and Batken, routes that often require passage through Uzbek territory. “They charge $15 for every car with tinted rear windows, almost every day. But we don’t charge them anything,” he said. The fee is collected via Uzbekistan’s MBANK mobile application, streamlining payment for drivers. Many Kyrgyz citizens consider the charge unjustified and burdensome. Tinting regulations differ significantly between the two countries. In Kyrgyzstan, individuals must pay 50,000 KGS (around $576) annually to tint their vehicle windows, while businesses pay 70,000 KGS (about $807). In Uzbekistan, rear window tinting is permitted at no cost, but tinting front windows costs approximately 3 million UZS (around $234) per year. Kulubaev acknowledged that the issue had not been formally raised before but assured lawmakers that it would be examined. “We can discuss this on a mutual basis and bring it up at an intergovernmental commission meeting,” he stated. Uzbekistan introduced the $15 fee in 2018 through a government decree aimed at regulating vehicle window tinting. Proceeds from the fee are directed to the state budget. The debate now centers on whether Kyrgyzstan should adopt a reciprocal policy or seek a bilateral agreement to eliminate the fee, a decision that may set a precedent for broader discussions on regional transportation and cross-border regulations.