Two Russians wanted by Interpol over attempted assassination of Uzbek official

Uzbekistan has placed two Russian citizens, Bislan Risaev and Shamil Temirkhanov, on Interpol's wanted list. This information was confirmed by a source in Uzbekistan’s law enforcement agencies, as reported by QALAMPIR.UZ.

According to Interpol's website, Risaev, and Temirkhanov are suspected of committing crimes under Articles 241 (Failure to report or conceal a crime), 246 (Smuggling), and 248 (Illegal trafficking of firearms, ammunition, main parts of firearms, explosives, explosive means, or explosive devices) of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan.

It is noteworthy that Javlon Yunusov, another suspect linked to the attempted assassination of Komil Allamjonov, the former head of the Information Policy Department of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, was previously placed on Interpol's wanted list. Yunusov was arrested in South Korea and later extradited to Uzbekistan. Additionally, the whereabouts of another suspect, identified as K.S., were discovered in Kazakhstan, and investigative measures were carried out with his participation.

The source at QALAMPIR.UZ reported that while Risayev and Temirkhanov are now on the Interpol wanted list, their involvement in the assassination attempt on Allamjonov has neither been confirmed nor denied.

Last month, the head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, dismissed claims that he was involved in the assassination attempt on Komil Allamjonov, calling them a provocation.

“A few weeks ago, a car belonging to a former employee of the presidential administration was shot at in Uzbekistan. No one was injured. One of the suspects has already been detained, and the investigation should identify all the participants and the reasons for the assassination. However, without waiting for the results, pro-Western and some opposition media outlets published a version about the 'Chechen trail,' and then attributed this trail to me in its entirety. I will not respond to these provocative claims,” Kadyrov said.

He added, “Thanks to the rational policy of the esteemed President Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, work in all areas, including the information and law enforcement system, is excellent in Uzbekistan. I will add that if I planned something, I would do it to the end and with 100% result. My dear brothers in Uzbekistan will undoubtedly find out who is behind this provocative information dump. Work on this has already begun.”

Details of the Assassination Attempt

The assassination attempt on Komil Allamjonov occurred on October 26 at 01:40. While a Range Rover driven by a citizen identified as S.S. was traveling along Ifor Street in the Kibray district, two unknown individuals opened fire on the car and fled. No one was injured during the incident.

Following the incident, the Prosecutor General's Office of Uzbekistan initiated a criminal case under Articles 25, 97 (Attempted murder), and 248 (Illegal handling of firearms, ammunition, main parts of firearms, explosives, or explosive devices) of the Criminal Code. An investigative and operational group was formed, consisting of employees from the Prosecutor General's Office, the Tashkent regional and city prosecutor's offices, the Military and Transport prosecutor's offices, as well as the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Tashkent city Internal Affairs Department (IIB), and the Customs Committee.

The attack on a figure as prominent as Komil Allamjonov, a former high-ranking official of the Presidential Administration, is considered an unprecedented incident in the last 25-30 years of Uzbekistan’s history. The case has raised public concern and speculation about its broader implications.

The incident has also been linked to a recent series of dismissals of senior officials in Uzbekistan. Those dismissed include Lieutenant General Abdusalom Azizov, who had served as Chairman of the State Security Service (SSS) since 2019; Colonel Ahrorjon Halimjonovich Atxamov, Head of the Criminal Investigation Service of the Rapid Investigation Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs; Colonel Doniyor Bakhtiyorovich Toshkhodjaev, First Deputy Head of the Tashkent City Internal Affairs Department; Lieutenant Colonel Temur Akramovich Sobirov, Head of the Organized Crime Department of the Rapid Investigation Service of the Tashkent City Internal Affairs Department; Colonel Alijon Ganievich Ashurov, who served as Head of the Internal Security Department of the State Security Service; and Sarvar Ganievich Ashurov, Assistant to the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan and Head of the Prime Minister's Reception Office.

Although no official explanation has been provided for these dismissals, speculation suggests a possible connection to the Allamjonov case. No clear statements from government bodies have confirmed this link. However, unofficial reports regarding the case continue to surface, gradually corroborating previous speculations.