Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Head of the Investigative Department, Ramazon Ashropov, responded to a report by Kun.uz detailing alleged practices of creating criminal cases through 'stand-in victims'. At a briefing on April 11, he stated that investigations have been initiated and a separate registry is being maintained, highlighting the government's reaction to media scrutiny over potential abuses in law enforcement.

Ashropov claimed that authorities monitor social media and analyze negative situations, and after the journalist's inquiry, checks were launched to verify if such cases truly exist. The registry is organized by each region and across 208 districts, with oversight personally assigned to the deputy minister, suggesting a structured but possibly superficial approach to addressing systemic issues.

The official described the raised issue as correct and asserted that if violations are identified, the rule of law will be ensured. However, these statements appear as standard responses to public pressure, lacking concrete assurances of reform, given the historical context of such practices within Uzbek law enforcement agencies.

Previously, Kun.uz published an investigation into an attempt to fabricate a criminal case in Jizzakh Region using a 'stand-in victim' involved in multiple cases as a complainant. This underscores the pervasive nature of the problem, with the ministry's response seeming reactive and potentially aimed at placating public concern rather than enacting meaningful change.

Source: kun.uz