Karshi mayor fined for illegally halting entrepreneur’s business

Karshi City Mayor Normomin Kholboyev has been held administratively liable for violating the law "On Guarantees of Freedom of Entrepreneurial Activity." QALAMPIR.UZ reviewed the relevant court documents.  

The investigation revealed that under the mayor's instructions, the store belonging to entrepreneur H.H. was closed from October 2 to October 7, 2024, in breach of legal requirements.  

On October 18, 2024, Sherzod Shodiev, Chief Inspector of the Kashkadarya Regional Department of the Office of the Business Ombudsman, fined Mayor Kholboyev 15 million sums – 40 times the base calculation amount – under Article 2413 of the Administrative Code (Unlawful suspension of business activities or bank operations).  

Upon the mayor’s appeal, the Karshi City Criminal Court reviewed the case on November 4, 2024. The court partially satisfied his appeal, reducing the fine to 1 million 875 thousand sums (5 times the base amount) under Article 33 of the Administrative Code (Application of a lighter penalty).  

Mayor Kholboyev further appealed the decision in cassation, but the Kashkadarya Regional Court upheld the lower court’s ruling during a session on December 27, 2024. His appeal was dismissed.  

The court decision noted that the parties may escalate the matter to the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan.  

For reference, Kholboyev has served as mayor of Karshi since 2019. In 2023, he faced public criticism for allocating 75 million sums for self-promotion, a decision that was later annulled.