An open criminal trial against blogger Sirojiddin Odilov has commenced at the Jizzakh City Criminal Court. During the first hearing, the court rejected a motion to change the preventive measure, leaving the defendant in custody.

Odilov, a native of Andijan region, heads the Sirojiddin Media project. He is charged under Articles 165 (Extortion) and 168 (Fraud) of the Criminal Code. He was detained in March this year in Samarkand region, and the court ordered his detention as a preventive measure.

At the start of the proceedings, Abdurakhman Tashanov, chairman of the human rights society 'Ezgulik', requested the court to soften the preventive measure. He noted that the alleged crimes do not pose a high degree of public danger, that Odilov has four minor children, and that his health has significantly deteriorated during detention. According to Tashanov, Odilov has lost about 40 kilograms, several teeth, and doctors suspect he has diabetes.

The motion was supported by lawyers and the defendant himself, but prosecutor Nodir Jafarov opposed it. The court kept the blogger in custody.

Additionally, the court partially granted the defense's motion regarding media access. Journalists were allowed to make audio recordings and take photos during the hearings, but video recording is prohibited.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July 24.

Source: podrobno.uz