The Namangan Regional Court has reviewed the appeal regarding the criminal case against Odilkhon Ismoilov, founder of the 'Rayhon oilaviy milliy taomlari' restaurant chain, alongside other defendants previously sentenced by a district court.

Records indicate that on July 13 of this year, the Pop District Court found Ismoilov guilty under multiple articles of the Criminal Code, including Article 167 concerning misappropriation and embezzlement, handing down an 8-year prison sentence that drew significant public attention. * During the appeal proceedings, the court evaluated new developments regarding the compensation of material damages caused by the offenses. Authorities noted that a portion of the financial losses had been deposited in cash, while property belonging to the convicted businessman was transferred to bank balances to settle liabilities.

Taking these mitigating factors and the partial restitution of funds into account, the appellate instance applied Article 72 of the Criminal Code, which provides for conditional sentencing. While the initial prison term remained formally intact, the court imposed a 3-year probation period instead of immediate incarceration.

Following the announcement of the ruling, Odilkhon Ismoilov was released from custody directly inside the courtroom. Prior to his business ventures, Ismoilov previously held prominent religious positions, serving as deputy chief imam of Tashkent and imam of a major city mosque.

Source: www.gazeta.uz