On January 13 at 9:30 AM, Uzbekistan’s Supreme Court will hold an open hearing to review the case of seven individuals who were detained following the assassination attempt on former Presidential Administration official, Komil Allamjonov.
The detainees, employees of Allamjonov, were sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention on charges of “hooliganism,” accused of violating public order in a café in the Kibray district.
The defense strongly disputes the allegations, presenting detailed video evidence from the café that reportedly proves none of the accused were present at the location on the stated date. They argue the charges were fabricated by law enforcement to exert pressure on the individuals and extract testimony.
This case has drawn attention as a potential turning point in addressing concerns over evidence falsification and improper detentions in Uzbekistan. The open court session is seen as a critical step toward ensuring transparency and safeguarding citizens’ rights in judicial proceedings.
The Assassination Attempt on Komil Allamjonov
On October 26 Allamjonov, the former head of the Presidential Administration’s Information Policy Department, was attacked when two assailants reportedly fired at a Range Rover he was traveling in in the Qibray district. No injuries were reported.
On September 30, 2024, Allamjonov resigned from his role as Head of the Information Policy Department citing plans to transition into the private sector.
Military Court and closed-door proceedings
On January 10 Daryo reported that a military court had started separate proceedings in the case concerning the attempted assassination Allamjonov.
In this trial, the Prosecutor General's Office confirmed that a criminal case was initiated under Articles 25 and 97 of Uzbekistan's Criminal Code, which address attempted murder. Those found guilty could face 15 to 25 years in prison.
By December 2024, authorities had apprehended nine individuals in connection with the attempted assassination. The first arrests were made on October 27, with additional suspects detained in the following weeks, bringing the total to nine by November.
Neither the prosecutor’s office nor judicial authorities have provided any public updates on the proceedings.
Who are the Suspects?
On November 25, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Uzbekistan announced the arrest and extradition of Djavlan Yunusov, a suspect in the attempted assassination of Allamjonov. Yunusov, who was wanted by Interpol, was detained in South Korea and extradited to Uzbekistan for legal proceedings.
Seven individuals have been implicated in the case; five suspects are in custody, while another, identified as K.S., was detained in Kazakhstan. Authorities continue their investigation under Article 25.97 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, which pertains to attempted murder.
High-profile dismissals
The case has led to high-profile dismissals, including Sarvar Ashurov, Assistant to the Prime Minister and head of the Prime Minister’s reception office, and his brother Alijon Ashurov, head of internal security at the State Security Service, for allegedly interfering in the investigation. Additionally, Abdusalam Azizov, former chairman of the State Security Service, and two Ministry of Internal Affairs officials—Tashkent City Police Department’s first deputy head and the head of the Criminal Investigation Service—have been removed from their positions.
Involvement of Russian Nationals
On December 27, the Prosecutor General’s Office revealed that two Russian citizens residing in Chechnya, Bislan Rasayev and Shamil Temirkhanov, were charged in absentia in connection with the assassination attempt. The charges include violations under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code.
The two suspects were accused of multiple crimes, including illegal entry and exit from Uzbekistan, failure to report a crime, and illegal possession of firearms. As part of the ongoing investigation, a search warrant was issued for both individuals, with a preventive detention order applied.
Ramzon Kadyrov's Threat
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov responded to media rumors surrounding the alleged assassination attempt on former Uzbek official Komil Allamjonov, claiming that Western outlets were fabricating stories and trying to drag him into the incident. Kadyrov stated, “If I were behind such an attempt, I would have finished the job that same day,” dismissing claims of his involvement. He suggested that these allegations were part of a larger scheme to destabilize Uzbekistan, warning that the situation could escalate into a “color revolution.”
Kadyrov advised Allamjonov and Dmitriy Li (Director of the National Agency for Prospective Projects (NAPP)) not to play the victim. "Whatever you're up to, it's time to back off, or you'll pay for your lies and tricks. And I mean pay according to our traditions", he said.
In response to this, December 27, Uzbek MP Odiljon Tojiyev demanded a public apology from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, accusing him of interfering in Uzbekistan’s internal affairs following an assassination attempt on former official Komil Allamjonov. Tojiyev urged Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office to assess Kadyrov’s actions and called on him to aid in extraditing two individuals wanted for serious crimes. Another MP, Rasul Kusherbayev, proposed stricter checks on Chechen citizens entering Uzbekistan to ensure public safety.
The case remains under investigation, with limited information available due to its confidential nature.
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