“Shayton” and associates detained as Uzbekistan launches new crackdown on street crime – Weekly analysis

In Andijan, a criminal gang led by an individual known as “Shayton” was detained. In Tashkent and Surkhandarya regions, court verdicts were issued against individuals who unlawfully restricted their spouses’ liberty, including cases in which women were confined in a basement and a livestock shed. In Fergana, a 14-year-old girl was raped by several individuals. In Surkhandarya, a ninth-grade girl was subjected to sexual violence by an eleventh-grade student. Criminal cases were opened against four employees of the Taftish.uz website and another person said to be linked to the outlet, and the suspects were detained. Uzbekistan is set to revise its Defense Doctrine, National Security Concept, and Foreign Policy Concept.

In Andijan region, a man nicknamed “Shayton” and his accomplices were detained for allegedly threatening people with weapons and extorting large sums of money.

As a reminder, in his address to the chambers of the Oliy Majlis on December 26, 2025, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said the state has sufficient capacity to put an end to criminal gangs that place themselves above the law, pressure entrepreneurs, and attempt to seize their businesses.

It may also be recalled that during the “Dolzarb 40 Kunlik” raids conducted in late 2023, a number of criminal gang leaders and their associates in Uzbekistan were detained and later sentenced to lengthy prison terms. However, some appear not to have drawn conclusions from those events, including “Shayton” and his group. They were detained during an operation carried out jointly by the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ оператив-search department and its regional divisions, in cooperation with the State Security Service.

Among the suspects are individuals previously convicted under Articles 104 (intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm), 164 (robbery), 277 (hooliganism), and 127 (involving a minor in antisocial behavior) of the Criminal Code. The list includes Alimov, born in Andijan in 1995 and known as “Hoji,” Shokirov, born in 1995 and known as “Muftiy,” as well as Jo‘rabekov (“Shayton”) and Yo‘ldoshev.

According to the report, the group conspired to target a person involved in cryptocurrency exchange services. After monitoring the individual, they called him posing as clients and lured him to a supermarket in Andijan. They allegedly forced him into a Damas vehicle, introduced themselves as law enforcement officers, and threatened him with criminal prosecution over alleged illegal cryptocurrency activity unless an associate transferred $150,000 to a designated crypto wallet. The victim was reportedly threatened and subjected to violence, including with weapons and sharp objects, in order to force him to surrender property.

The suspects are alleged to have extorted cryptocurrency worth $100,000 and transferred it to a crypto wallet under their control. A criminal case was initiated under Article 165 (extortion), Part 3, item “a,” and Article 176 (counterfeiting currency, excise stamps, or securities and placing them into circulation), Part 3, item “a,” of the Criminal Code.

As part of operational and investigative measures to identify additional unlawful acts, authorities said they also identified Yusufjonov, born in Andijan in 2000, as a member of the group. He had previously been convicted under Articles 168 (fraud), 166 (robbery), 165 (extortion), and 164 (robbery). He is suspected of assaulting a woman, causing bodily injuries, seizing her iPhone 16 Pro Max, and demanding 10 million soums for personal use.

A criminal case was opened against the suspect under Article 166 (robbery), Part 1, of the Criminal Code.

Authorities said the group had also used violence against ordinary citizens in the street, and that members were found to have committed several crimes abroad resulting in serious harm to people’s life and health.

Those who suffered from the group’s actions are asked to contact internal affairs bodies or call the short number 102. Confidentiality is guaranteed.

It may be recalled that in his address to the Oliy Majlis and the public on December 26, 2025, President Mirziyoyev said the country had already achieved the targets set out in the “Uzbekistan–2030” strategy, and that the strategy therefore required revision. In addition to changes to the strategy, Uzbekistan’s Defense Doctrine and the National Security Concept adopted in 1997 will also be revised. This was discussed at an expanded meeting of the Security Council chaired by the President this week.

The meeting discussed priority tasks related to ensuring national security and strengthening defense capabilities. It was noted that regional conflicts are expanding, the arms race is intensifying, and respect for universal values, international legal norms, and international diplomacy is weakening.

It was noted that the situation in Iran has recently become more serious. Iran is one of Uzbekistan’s key partners in export and import, and instability there may also affect Uzbekistan in terms of trade corridors. The President focused specifically on this issue.

According to the President, the nature of modern warfare has fundamentally changed, and any country that believes it can win relying only on tanks, aircraft, or troop numbers is mistaken. He said modern warfare is conducted through artificial intelligence, digital command systems, long-range precision strike capabilities, cyber and robotic technologies, as well as political and economic pressure.

The meeting also addressed compulsory military service. A new system will be introduced to ensure that young servicemen acquire at least one profession while serving. Three- to six-month vocational programs will be developed, and soldiers who complete them will take qualification exams and receive professional certificates.

Each year, 5,000 soldiers will be selected for training under the “One Million Programmers” and “Five Million AI Leaders” programs. Soldiers will also be given the opportunity to sit university entrance exams while serving at their military units. Those who pass and are admitted will begin studies immediately after completing compulsory service.

The costs of obtaining foreign-language and subject certificates will be covered for young people returning from the army who intend to study at higher education institutions.

For young people seeking jobs in state organizations, a 10 percent preference will be introduced for test scores administered by the Agency for Public Service Effectiveness. For those planning to work in the private sector, costs related to acquiring a profession and obtaining certification will be covered.

The President also stressed the importance of strengthening servicemen’s moral development and promoting reading among them. He said that this year all military units and institutions will be supplied with a total of one million copies of fiction.

The discussion then turned to the new Defense Doctrine. It will preserve Uzbekistan’s non-aligned status, maintain reliance on multilateral diplomacy, and support development in the areas of high-tech strategy, military independence, and regional stability. The President said the doctrine should serve as a basis for technologically modernizing the army and introducing advanced military solutions.

The meeting also heard a report from State Security Service Chairman Bahodir Qurbonov. He said Uzbekistan’s borders are being monitored using Turkish-made Bayraktar drones.

As part of introducing modern digital tools into the system of guarding and protecting the state border, 42 percent of the border has been equipped with video surveillance systems and 1,117 kilometers of fiber-optic communication lines have been installed. Border troops have been equipped with armored vehicles by 18 percent, watercraft by 86 percent, weapons and ammunition by 100 percent, and electro-optical equipment by 78 percent.

No official information has been released about when Uzbekistan purchased Turkish-made Bayraktar drones or how many were acquired. The presence of Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles became known from photos published during President Mirziyoyev’s visit to a military unit in Surkhandarya region on November 16, 2023.

In his speech, the SSS chairman also addressed terrorism and religious extremism, saying external terrorist threats against Uzbekistan remain a major concern.

We have prepared a separate program on the issues raised at the Security Council, including the reports by SSS Chairman Bahodir Qurbonov and Defense Minister Shuhrat Holmuhammedov. It can be watched on QALAMPIR.UZ’s YouTube channel.

As a reminder, four months ago, in September 2025, we reported a case in Uzun district of Surkhandarya region in which a man born in 1981 allegedly subjected his wife (born in 1997) and their five-month-old infant to pressure and violence and forcibly kept them in a livestock shed for five months. The case caused widespread public reaction. This week, a court verdict was issued against those involved.

According to the case materials, the homeowner, identified as Sh.A., allegedly conspired with his mother and close relatives living in the same household, and, taking advantage of his spouse’s vulnerability, subjected her to pressure and violence over a period of several months.

Under the verdict of the Uzun district criminal court, the man was found guilty under Article 126-1 (domestic violence), Article 127 (involving a minor in antisocial behavior), Articles 25 and 135 (human trafficking), and Article 138 (unlawful deprivation of liberty with the use of violence). Two female relatives born in 1975 and 1978 and the mother-in-law born in 1951 were also found guilty under Article 104 (intentional infliction of moderate bodily harm), Article 127, Articles 25 and 135, and Article 138.

The court sentenced the man to 13 years’ imprisonment, two relatives to nine years’ imprisonment each, and the mother-in-law to five years of restriction of liberty.

Before the public had fully absorbed that case, another incident emerged in Tashkent, where a man allegedly locked his wife in a basement to prevent her from attending a wedding. The accused is reported to be a retired serviceman.

According to the court documents, the defendant, born in 1984, allegedly used force at around 23:30 on July 26, 2025, at his home in Yashnobod district’s Qalqon neighborhood, took his spouse to the basement of the apartment building where they lived, and unlawfully deprived her of liberty for one day without providing food or water, in order to stop her from going to relatives’ wedding in Samarkand region.

In addition, the man allegedly assaulted his spouse around 00:30 on August 31, 2025, claiming that their son had blocked his bank card, and struck her with his hands and a charging cable, causing minor injuries resulting in short-term health impairment.

A forensic medical examination found bruising and other injuries on the woman’s body, including on her shoulders, elbow, wrists, and chest area.

The case was heard at the Yashnobod district criminal court on December 19, 2025. The man reportedly pleaded guilty in full. He was found guilty under Article 138, Part 2, items “a” and “b” (unlawful deprivation of liberty with the use of violence) and Article 126-1, Part 3 (domestic violence). Under Article 59 on sentencing for multiple offenses, he was given a combined sentence of three years and one month of imprisonment, to be served in a settlement colony.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has strengthened cooperation between its law enforcement bodies and counterparts abroad, including joint operations, resulting in more effective efforts to return individuals who committed crimes in Uzbekistan or abroad and later fled justice. Authorities say such individuals are being returned from various countries, including Turkey, the UAE, and the United States.

This week, an Uzbek citizen wanted internationally in connection with a fraud case was detained in Croatia.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, coordinated actions between the Interpol National Central Bureaus of Uzbekistan and Croatia ensured the successful extradition of an Uzbek citizen from Zagreb in connection with an internationally wanted fraud suspect.

The extradition was carried out in close cooperation with Interpol’s Zagreb office and with assistance from Uzbekistan’s consulate in Hungary.

The ministry did not specify the nature of the alleged offense in detail or how long the suspect had been evading investigation or trial.

Four employees of Taftish.uz were detained on suspicion of extortion and fraud.

According to the report, G‘ayrat Aberayev, born in 1988, and Taftish.uz staff members Yo‘ldoshev (born in 1992), Hamidov (born in 2000), Eshquvvatova (born in 2006), and Nishonov (born in 1998) were detained in accordance with procedural requirements on suspicion of offenses under Article 165 (extortion) and Article 168 (fraud) of the Criminal Code.

The Tashkent City Main Department of Internal Affairs said authorities are also checking whether they may be linked to additional offenses under Article 139 (defamation) and Article 244-6 (dissemination of false information).

Taftish.uz has not been shut down and continues its daily operations.

In Uchko‘prik district of Fergana region, a group of young men raped a 14-year-old girl. A criminal case was opened under Article 118 (rape), Part 3, of the Criminal Code by the investigation division under the Uchko‘prik district internal affairs department.

The suspects were detained under Article 221 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and a pretrial detention measure was applied. Preliminary investigative actions are ongoing.

The Children’s Ombudsman said that disclosing detailed circumstances of the case would be contrary to the child’s interests and that widespread publication of information relating to the child could harm the rights of the victim.

This was not the only reported case involving a minor. In Denov district of Surkhandarya region, authorities identified a case in which an eleventh-grade student committed sexual violence against a ninth-grade girl at School No. 64.

The incident reportedly occurred outside the school several months ago. After public backlash, the regional Department of Preschool and School Education issued a statement on the matter.

“During the review, protecting minors’ rights, dignity, and psychological well-being has been defined as a priority. Therefore, until the pre-investigation check is completed, it is not appropriate to draw one-sided conclusions or disseminate unverified information,” the statement said.

It added that the school administration, together with relevant agencies, is taking the necessary measures, and additional information will be provided in accordance with the law following the conclusion of the review.

In Uzbekistan, crimes involving minors, especially sexual violence, are treated as strictly protected information. Until cases trigger public controversy, law enforcement agencies and other responsible bodies often refrain from disclosing details, citing children’s interests and the risk of harm. Nevertheless, reports of sexual violence against minors and pregnancies among school students continue to be heard.

It is also worth noting that Uzbekistan recorded a new development last year in strengthening protection of minors’ sexual rights. On October 23, 2025, amendments and additions were introduced to the Criminal Code aimed at further liberalizing juvenile criminal liability and strengthening child rights protections. Penalties were also increased for crimes against the sexual integrity of children, and early conditional release was ruled out for offenders.

The US State Department has suspended the review of immigrant visa applications for citizens of 75 countries as part of measures targeting applicants who may become a burden on the state budget. The rules take effect on January 21 this year and apply to immigrant visas.

A US immigrant visa is a type of visa that grants a foreign national the right to live permanently in the United States. After entering the country, the individual receives permanent resident status. This visa allows a person to live, work, and study in the US and lawfully run a business, and later provides the right to apply for US citizenship.

The list of countries subject to restrictions includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan from Central Asia.

According to reports, these restrictions will remain in effect “for an indefinite period” while the State Department reviews visa procedures.

Under the guidance, visas must be refused to applicants assessed as highly likely to become dependent on state social assistance. In making this assessment, officials take into account factors such as an applicant’s health, age, English-language proficiency, financial situation, and the likelihood of requiring long-term medical care. Older applicants, those who are overweight, and individuals who have previously received cash assistance from the state or have been placed in institutions may also face a visa refusal.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahror Burhonov told QALAMPIR.UZ that Uzbekistan has indeed been included in the list linked to new US visa-related restrictions. However, he said no specific restrictions have been imposed so far. The system for issuing non-immigrant visas to Uzbek citizens continues to operate as before.

When discussing visas, it is also relevant to note another development. During a videoconference meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev this week on the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Uzbekistan’s diplomatic missions abroad, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States, Furqat Siddiqov, was instructed to hold negotiations to include Uzbekistan in the list of countries whose citizens may be recruited for seasonal work in the United States. Last year, the US government simplified procedures for obtaining a special visa for agricultural workers, and officials were told to explore ways to join the program. The meeting also covered a range of migration and foreign policy issues, with discussions focusing on updating the Foreign Policy Concept, revising its priority areas, protecting national interests, and defining clear tasks to strengthen Uzbekistan’s position on the international stage. QALAMPIR.UZ has prepared a separate program on these issues, which can be viewed on the outlet’s YouTube channel.

As previously reported, teachers at School No. 37 in Buvayda district of Fergana region were forced to perform round-the-clock duty ahead of New Year and afterward, including on the holiday night itself. Although the instruction was said to have come from higher levels, the school principal was dismissed, while those who reportedly coordinated the duty shifts avoided accountability. However, further action followed. The head of the regional Department of Preschool and School Education has now been punished over the unlawful dismissal of the principal.

According to the State Labor Inspectorate, administrative liability measures were applied to the official for violating labor law requirements during the process of removing the principal and appointing a new one. An administrative fine was also imposed on the head of the Khorezm regional Department of Preschool and School Education for labor law violations.

In addition, administrative case materials collected against an official of the Uchtepa district Department of Preschool and School Education, accused of obstructing a teacher’s performance of official duties, were forwarded to the court for consideration.