A criminal case against former Deputy Interior Minister Bekmurod Abdullayev, ex-head of the Penitentiary Department Rustam Tursunov, and 28 other individuals is being heard in a closed court session. This was announced by Judge Sanjar Mahametov of the Yangihayot District Criminal Court.
The Supreme Court's website had listed the case for July 29 at 10:00 AM in the Yangihayot District Criminal Court. According to a Gazeta correspondent, journalists and operators from Gazeta, Kun, Qalampir, Uzdiplomat, and Vaqt publications went to cover the proceedings based on this information.
However, the location marked as the court building on online maps turned out to be the district office of the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment. The actual court building had moved to a new address 2-3 kilometers away.
Staff at the Yangihayot court registry informed that due to limited courtroom space, the case was being heard at the Yunusabad District Criminal Court, prompting media representatives to head there.
The judge's assistant warmly received the journalists and stated that relatives of the defendants could meet with them first, after which the media could enter the courtroom. After the relatives left, journalists and operators entered. Three or four defendants, upon seeing the journalists, requested them to leave.
When the judge entered, one of the lawyers questioned the journalists' identity and purpose, objecting to their presence. Judge Mahametov identified them as press representatives, but the lawyer cited state secrets in the case and demanded the media be removed.
The judge declared the session closed and asked the journalists to leave. Outside, the judge's assistant noted that the trial had started much earlier and that today's session was the fifth.
Later that day, the information service of Tashkent city courts explained why several high-profile criminal cases are being held behind closed doors. According to the statement, the cases involving Abdullayev and 29 others, former State Assets Agency director Akmal Ortikov and six others, and the so-called 'Korean case' with alleged damages of $90 million contain information about private life and other legally protected data. Therefore, court rulings have designated these proceedings as closed.
The official statement added that further information would be provided upon the conclusion of the trials.
The day before, on July 28, at a public hearing at the Anti-Corruption Agency, its head Akmal Burkhanov responded to a Gazeta correspondent's question about corruption cases against state officials being heard in closed sessions. He refuted the notion that all corruption trials are closed, citing open cases against former officials of Uzbekneftegaz and the Pharmaceutical Development Agency.
Burkhanov stated: 'It is true that presidential decrees mandate open trials for corruption cases of public importance and wide societal discussion. However, the Criminal Procedure Code also has requirements. In some cases, depending on the nature of the case and the consent of participants, a closed session may be held.'
He emphasized that the agency, as an anti-corruption body, strives to keep the public informed about such cases. 'We will continue to push for corruption cases sent to court to be heard as openly as possible. If any obstacles arise for journalists or bloggers, the agency is ready to assist,' Burkhanov said.
According to the court list, Abdullayev faces charges under Article 167 (embezzlement or misappropriation), Part 2, items 'a' and 'b', and several items of Part 3. Tursunov is charged under Article 167, Part 2, items 'a' and 'b', Part 3, items 'a' and 'c', and Article 205 (abuse of power or official authority), Part 2, items 'a' and 'b'.
Among the 30 defendants are Farrukh Abdurakhimov, chairman of the state leasing company Qurilishmashlizing; former Mexmash head Farkhodjon Juraev; and Dilshod Tashev, linked by open commercial data to the leadership of penal colony No. 11 in Navoi region. Ixtiyor Malikov was previously listed as a responsible person and secretary of the tender commission for purchases of road marking machines, interactive equipment, and other goods.
In addition to Articles 167 and 205, some individuals face charges under other criminal code articles, including false entrepreneurship (Article 179), tax evasion (Article 184), violation of trade or service rules (Article 189), official forgery (Article 209), and money laundering (Article 243). Some defendants are charged under six articles simultaneously.
Abdullayev served as Deputy Interior Minister and head of the Public Security Department from April 2021. He was dismissed on November 3, 2025, after which an investigation was launched and he was arrested. He is the brother of entrepreneur Bakhodir Abdullayev, founder of BA Holding and current head of Uzmetkombinat.
Tursunov led the Jizzakh Regional Police Department in 2017-2018, then headed the Navoi Regional Police Department. In February 2021, he was appointed head of the Penitentiary Department. He was dismissed in early November 2025, simultaneously with Abdullayev.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at a meeting on January 27, announced the discovery of budget fund embezzlement in the Interior Ministry system. According to him, 186 billion soums were stolen. The head of state mentioned that criminal cases had been opened against Abdullayev and Tursunov.
Source: www.gazeta.uz