Murder in Navoi desert: dispute turns deadly

A confrontation in Navoi’s Konimekh district ended in tragedy when a dispute led to one citizen’s death. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the incident, which involved nine individuals, eight of whom were under the age of 30.

During an open court session in the Uchkuduq district, it was revealed that the accused, who had previously been imprisoned for hooliganism, was released early under leniency.

"I didn't want this to happen. I wanted to protect my brother. Father, mother, I did not kill anyone on purpose. Please forgive me," said the accused who caused the death of a citizen at the court session.

According to the report, he brought a knife to a remote desert location for a confrontation with a young man he considered his rival. His opponent arrived with seven companions, carrying a hunting rifle.

The conflict quickly escalated, ending in a knife fight in the isolated desert until someone fired a warning shot into the air, halting the violence.

The court sentenced each of the eight other defendants to prison terms of 1 to 3.5 years under Article 277 of the Criminal Code. The primary defendant found guilty of intentional homicide and repeated hooliganism, received a prison sentence of 15 years and 6 months under Articles 97 and 277 of the Criminal Code.

Previously, a similar case occurred in Samarkand, where a 28-year-old man was sentenced to 17 years for fatally stabbing his partner out of jealousy.