Trial of Aziz Voitov should be broadcast live - Anticorruption Agency

The trial of former Minister of Agriculture Aziz Voitov and 49 others should be broadcast live on TV channels and the Internet, according to Sherzod Saparov, the press secretary of the Anti-Corruption Agency.

It is known that according to Presidential Decree No. PF-6247 dated June 16, 2021, court sessions involving cases related to violations connected to the professional activities of civil servants must be broadcast live on TV channels and the Internet. Based on this decree, the agency has stated that it is advisable to conduct this court session openly for the public, in line with the requirements of the decree.

For your information, Aziz Voitov is charged under Article 167 of the Criminal Code (embezzlement or misappropriation using fraud), part 3 "a", clause "v", Article 205 (abuse of power or authority), Article 206 (abuse of authority or official position), and Article 209 (office forgery).

According to the indictment, the defendants are accused of committing crimes under Articles 167, 168, 184, 185-2, 189, 205, 206, 28, 209, 211, 228, and 243 of the Criminal Code. Preventive measures have been taken against the defendants: 29 are under "arrest," 15 are out on "bail," and 6 have received a "good behavior bond."

It should be noted that earlier, it was reported that journalists were not allowed to cover the trial of Aziz Voitov and 49 others due to requests from the defendants and their lawyers to prohibit media personnel from entering the courtroom. At the first court session on August 5, many lawyers strongly objected to the participation of the media, even labeling journalists as "foreign agents" and accusing them of "exaggerating the news."