The Mirzo-Ulugbek District Criminal Court has begun closing arguments in the high-profile case of blogger and entrepreneur Sanjar Karimov, known as Real Sanjik. The defense maintains that the case is a civil dispute, not a criminal matter, and that the charges of fraud, death threats, and drug trafficking are unfounded.

According to the defense lawyer, Karimov lent $240,000 to Shakhzod Rismatov, with the Olimboyev family's home used as collateral. The lawyer argued that such collateral arrangements are common in Uzbekistan and criminalizing them would set a dangerous precedent for all similar transactions.

Regarding the death threat charge, the defense described the audio recording as a "cry of a wounded beast" — an emotional outburst from a man who had just realized he lost $240,000 due to fraud, not a genuine intent to kill. The lawyer noted that no action was taken over the following year to carry out the alleged threat.

The defense also criticized the investigation for failing to conduct a psychological-linguistic examination and for presenting an incomplete audio recording. They argued that Karimov's words amounted only to administrative insult, not a criminal threat.

The prosecutor has requested a 5-year prison sentence for Karimov. The trial continues.

Source: podrobno.uz