Komil Allamjonov seeks protection for hs employees facing unfair detention

north_east

Allamjonov's assassination attempt case brought to court

Komil Allamjonov, the former head of the Information Policy Department of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, is seeking to protect seven of his employees who were sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention following an assassination attempt on him. This was reported to QALAMPIR.UZ by lawyer Davronbek Saidov, who is representing the seven individuals held accountable for their actions on October 26, 2024.

According to Saidov, the employees—security guards, cooks, and other staff members—were detained on the night of October 26, following the assassination attempt on Allamjonov. They were initially questioned by the investigation team to determine their involvement in the crime and provided their explanations. However, after the investigation, the individuals were allowed to return home. Later that evening, they were unexpectedly summoned to the Kibray District Police Department, where they were coerced into signing documents regarding petty hooliganism. When they refused, they were taken to the Kibray District Court.

Saidov further explained that the court proceedings were problematic. The defendants were not provided with legal representation, and the judge simply announced the verdict. As a result, Allamjonov personally reached out to Saidov for assistance in defending his employees.

“The judge sentenced them to 15 days of administrative detention, and they were told they could appeal the decision. However, until November 3, 2024, lawyers were not allowed to meet with them, and they had no opportunity to challenge the court's decision,” Saidov said.

Upon reviewing the case, Saidov confirmed that no administrative offense had taken place on the night in question.

"The accused were not present near the Arvin cafe in Kibray district, nor were they involved in any incidents of alcohol consumption or petty hooliganism as claimed by the district internal affairs officer. Despite this, a report was filed, and the individuals were placed under administrative detention.

After the appeal, the appellate court declined to invite the detainees to the courtroom. Under the current Code of Administrative Responsibility, personal participation in court sessions is mandated, with no exceptions to this rule. Although the court is required to ensure the attendance of individuals placed in administrative detention, they were not invited to the appellate session. Consequently, the detainees were held in administrative detention for 15 days," the lawyer explained.

The lawyer further suggested that external pressure may have influenced the court's actions.

"Regarding the absence of lawyers, the lawyer speculated that external factors may have played a role. The officials, responsible for drafting the report on the administrative offense could not have made such a decision independently. We plan to file a petition on January 23 requesting a private ruling on the violation of rights, followed by a legal assessment of these breaches. Additionally, we have lodged an appeal with the Prosecutor General's Office regarding potential external pressure. Once the written complaint is reviewed, we will provide further details," said Davronbek Saidov.

It is important to note that, on January 13 at 9:30 a.m., the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan had announced an open hearing for the case of seven individuals detained for 15 days on charges of violating public order following the assassination attempt on Komil Allamjonov. However, the hearing was postponed until January 23.