A Tashkent court has sentenced Fazlidinxon Mehmonov, head of the online outlet Demokrat.uz, and blogger Aziz Ghoipnazarov to lengthy prison terms, the Tashkent city courts reported. The Mirobod district court for criminal cases announced the verdict on November 11. Mehmonov, born in 1998 in Namangan region and previously convicted, was found guilty under Article 165 (extortion), Article 168 (fraud) and Article 248 (illegal circulation of firearms, ammunition, their main parts, explosives or explosive devices) of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code. Ghoipnazarov, born in 1991 in Tashkent and previously convicted, was found guilty under Article 165 (extortion).
Key Takeaways: Mehmonov was sentenced to 10 years and 3 months, while Ghoipnazarov received 10 years and 1 month; both are to serve their terms in colonies with standard conditions. The court also ordered recovery from Mehmonov of material damage caused to victims in the case. The parties may appeal or lodge a cassation protest with the Tashkent city court within the time limits set by law.
According to earlier information from the Tashkent city police department, Ghoipnazarov prepared and posted online video material that discredited the operations of one of the car dealerships in the Sergeli district. Mehmonov then allegedly demanded a total of $50,000 from the entrepreneur to remove the video from social networks and not publish another video prepared by the outlet. The report said he was detained with evidence on January 29 while receiving $3,000 and on February 10 while receiving $17,000.
The case comes amid continuing debate in Uzbekistan over the boundaries of online publishing, the work of bloggers and the use of criminal liability for extortion and fraud. The court’s decision is based on specific Criminal Code articles, the issue of compensation for damage and the procedure for imposing punishment. Media organizations and legal observers are likely to monitor how the verdict is reviewed on appeal and how the arguments of the defense and prosecution are assessed. The court stated that the first-instance ruling may be challenged in accordance with established legal procedures.
Earlier, it was reported that Gayrat Aberayev, head of Taftish.uz, was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months, and journalist Marjona Eshquvvatova to 4 years and 1 month in prison. There has been no official information yet on whether Mehmonov’s and Ghoipnazarov’s defense will file an appeal; the next possible stage would be consideration of a complaint or protest by the Tashkent city court. The verdict notes that it can be appealed within the period prescribed by law.
Source: www.gazeta.uz