A scandal in Uzbekistan surrounding the arrest of an 18-year-old youth continues to escalate. The young man was sentenced to 7 days in custody after posting a video accusing a patrol officer (PPS) of misconduct involving a 14-year-old girl. His mother has released a video appeal to Saida Mirziyoyeva, the daughter of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, alleging pressure and violations during the investigation, including restrictions on the right to legal defense.
Earlier, the 18-year-old resident of Akhangaran district posted a video claiming that a PPS officer had taken a 14-year-old girl in his personal car to the mountains, where he allegedly harassed her and her friend. According to the teen, the girl sent him a geolocation, which led him and his friends to find the car outside the city. The officer, caught on the scene, allegedly locked the doors and attempted to flee, injuring a witness. Even after the girls returned home, the officer reportedly continued to call and message the minor, demanding her location and issuing veiled threats.
The video went viral, sparking public outrage. However, the Tashkent Regional Department of Internal Affairs later stated that the incident was a staged setup motivated by personal animosity. According to the official version, on the night of April 27, the PPS officer received a call from a 22-year-old acquaintance who asked to meet, and she and her 14-year-old friend voluntarily got into the car. The investigation claimed no illegal actions occurred between the participants.
The situation escalated when the 18-year-old and his friends blocked the car and began filming, accusing the officer. It was also reported that the teen had previously received a warning from the same officer during a nighttime walk. The authorities later released a video of the young man apologizing for his actions and spreading misinformation, after which he was arrested for 7 days.
In her appeal to Saida Mirziyoyeva, the mother detailed her version of events. She emphasized that her son only wanted to help the minor girl, who she claims was taken to the mountains by a uniformed officer. She alleged that the investigation was trying to cover up for their colleague and shift blame onto her son: "They want to fabricate a case as if he... is a pedophile."
The mother also claimed that the family faced aggression and physical violence. She stated that the head of the local police department snatched her son's phone while he was filming the arrest and hit her twice on the head. She further alleged a forced deal: she was promised her son's release if she admitted to assaulting police officers. "They said that to release my son, we must say in court that I attacked the head of the police department. They asked us not to bother the PPS officer anymore — he would be transferred and would not work here. They also said a criminal case had been opened against him. And they asked: just write now that you attacked the police officers." The mother agreed, as she was "100% assured" that the family would be allowed to go home and the incident would be resolved.
The mother also reported constant surveillance, fearing to move around the city, and said she was documenting cars she believed were following her. She expressed outrage over her son's detention conditions, claiming he was not being fed despite her having paid 423,000 soums for three meals a day. In her concluding remarks, she pleaded for help: "I beg you. I ask you as a mother, help."
Additionally, the mother released a video showing a conversation between her son's lawyer and police officials. The lawyer attempts to meet with the detainee, insisting that all investigative actions must involve defense counsel. Despite having a warrant and identification, the lawyer is denied access, with officials claiming the detainee refused the meeting. The lawyer argues that the law does not require the detainee's consent for a lawyer to visit. The lawyer also tries to arrange food delivery, but the investigator allegedly blocks it.
As of now, law enforcement authorities have not issued official comments on the family's latest allegations.
Source: podrobno.uz