Three former judges of the Tashkent City Court — Odilbek Ilkhomzhonov, Mirziyod Abidov, and Mukhtaram Turgunova — have been released after their pre-trial detention was replaced with bail. The court of first instance had initially planned to extend their arrest for another five months at the prosecution's request, but a higher court overturned this decision.

Meanwhile, the former deputy chairman of the Tashkent City Court, Murodjon Mirzazhonov, remains in custody — his detention period in the pre-trial detention center has been extended. All four are accused of violations in the case of Akmal Shukurov: the three judges are charged with delivering an unjust verdict, while Mirzazhonov is accused of illegally interfering in the judicial process.

The criminal prosecution of the judges began after the appellate court unexpectedly mitigated Akmal Shukurov's sentence in December 2025. Initially, he was sentenced to 8 years in prison for a series of crimes, the most high-profile of which was a brutal assault on Boris Avakyan near The Tower hotel in September 2025. As a result of that fight, the victim sustained severe injuries and fell into a coma.

Despite the gravity of the charges, the appeal replaced Shukurov's actual prison term with restricted freedom, releasing him in the courtroom. This decision sparked widespread public outcry, after which the case was reviewed: Shukurov received a 6-year prison sentence, and an investigation was initiated against the judicial panel. At present, investigative actions are ongoing, and the court will ultimately conclude this case.

Source: podrobno.uz