Narcotics worth 1.8 billion sums, 8 Uzbeks sentenced to life imprisonment in Dubai, and threats from Russia – Weekly analysis

Narcotics worth 1.8 billion soums were discovered in a citizen’s home. Eight Uzbek nationals were sentenced to life imprisonment in Dubai. Russian propagandists once again made statements rejecting Uzbekistan’s independence. In Andijan, the sentence of a former official who had been imprisoned for seven years on charges of embezzling large sums of money was reduced, leading to his release. Ruslan Chagayev delivered a blow to Nikolai Valuev this time with words rather than fists. Another journalist was imprisoned in Uzbekistan, while two more were detained.

Uzbek society is known for its creativity, something anyone who has read comment sections on social media can easily confirm. Unusual phrases, eccentric descriptions, and unrestrained imagination are common. This tendency has extended even into the criminal underworld. Names such as “Shayton,” “Mulla,” “Jommi Darital,” “Malish,” and “Rasul Qilich” have surfaced. These are not random labels but nicknames either chosen by individuals who see themselves as street authorities or assigned by their associates based on perceived traits. This week, some of these names became known through details of crimes reported in the news.

A 30-year-old man known by the nickname “Jommi Darital” reportedly considered himself the owner of the central farmers’ market area in Urgench, by his own standards. Blocking passersby, beating them, and taking their money was described as his routine activity. He was detained following one such incident.

Another case involved a resident of Bogot district known as “Malish.” The 29-year-old, previously convicted of hooliganism, reportedly sought to demonstrate his boxing skills not in professional rings but at a friend’s home. He allegedly broke into the house of an acquaintance one year younger than himself, turning a verbal dispute into a physical fight.

Meanwhile, a Khiva resident known as “Rasul Qilich,” who worked as an informal taxi driver, allegedly chased a driver he knew, forced him to stop in the middle of a main road, and assaulted him. Another man who attempted to intervene was also beaten.

Criminal cases have been initiated against the suspects under relevant articles of the Criminal Code. Preliminary investigations are ongoing, and the suspects have been placed in custody as a preventive measure.

Overall, a significant number of individuals who had committed crimes either recently or over an extended period were detained this week. Although no special “40-day intensive operation” was announced as in previous years, officers from the State Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs carried out various large- and small-scale operations across regions.

As a result, individuals storing firearms, hunting weapons, and ammunition at their homes and attempting to sell them were identified in Sergeli and Chilanzar districts. In Mirzo Ulugbek district, four individuals reportedly assaulted two citizens and took 500 US dollars from them.

In Syrdarya region, authorities reported the arrest of a 24-year-old individual described as a “chemist” who had set up a drug laboratory. He allegedly sold his products through Telegram channels and even offered delivery services. Substances worth 1.8 billion soums were found at his operation site.

Some readers may be thinking that crime levels appear unusually high this week. It is worth recalling that the head of the State Security Service previously stated that both the number of drug-related crimes and the number of people committing them had doubled. On January 13 this year, during an expanded meeting of the Security Council chaired by President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Shavkat Mirziyoyev, State Security Service Chairman Bahodir Kurbonov also addressed youth crime.

“Synthetic drugs are becoming increasingly widespread among minors, especially those aged 14 to 25. The most concerning aspect is that dependence on these substances develops very quickly after use,” Kurbonov said.

In his address to the chambers of the Oliy Majlis on December 26, 2025, President Mirziyoyev stated that the state has sufficient capacity to put an end to the activities of criminal groups that place themselves above the law, pressure entrepreneurs, and attempt to seize their businesses. He also emphasized that the fight against crime would continue actively in 2026, including efforts targeting criminal groups operating abroad.

Were six Uzbek citizens sentenced to death in Dubai?

Many will recall the violent incident in Dubai in 2025 that resulted in the deaths of two Uzbek nationals. A clash between two criminal groups composed of Uzbeks in one of the UAE’s most prominent cities ended in a knife fight. As a result, 15 individuals holding Uzbek passports were arrested.

On January 22 this year, UAE media reported that the case had been heard in court and that six Uzbek nationals had been sentenced to death. Following public concern in Uzbekistan, QALAMPIR.UZ contacted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Akhror Burkhanov, who denied reports of death sentences. He stated that eight Uzbek citizens had been sentenced to life imprisonment, while one individual received a 25-year prison term.

Burkhanov added that relevant agencies and diplomatic missions are currently taking all necessary measures to fully review the situation and protect the rights of Uzbek citizens.

Public reactions included remarks suggesting that such behavior was shameful for the nation. In recent times, incidents involving individuals whose actions negatively affect Uzbekistan’s image abroad have become more frequent. Some seek attention during religious pilgrimages, others disrupt public order in metros or make provocative statements. This underscores the importance of remembering that the actions of any citizen abroad can shape perceptions of the entire nation.

This is especially important in the current sensitive global environment, where attitudes toward migrants have shifted and requirements have tightened in many countries. On January 21, for example, 44 Uzbek citizens residing illegally in the United States were deported.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the individuals were returned via a charter flight organized in cooperation with relevant US government agencies, ensuring their safe and timely return to Uzbekistan.

For context, 39 Uzbek citizens were also deported from the United States in September 2025, while another group was returned in April via special charter flights. US authorities described the operation as historic and expressed gratitude to Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan joins the “Peace Council”

Recently, several developments described as historic have occurred in relations between Uzbekistan and the United States. One such event is Uzbekistan joining the “Peace Council,” an initiative founded by US President Donald Trump and considered by some as a potential alternative to the United Nations.

On January 22, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the signing ceremony of the Peace Council charter in Davos, Switzerland. The new organization aims to reduce the risk of escalation in conflicts and create favorable conditions for economic and social recovery in the Gaza Strip. Prominent and influential leaders from various countries are part of the council.

Each invited country is granted three years of free membership. To become a permanent member, states are required to make a one-time contribution of one billion US dollars. This provision of the charter has sparked widespread debate.

Kazakhstan, one of two Central Asian countries to join the council, became a member without making the one-billion-dollar contribution. This was confirmed by the press service of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

“The decision to join the Peace Council is a sovereign choice of each state. Membership is granted for three years. The one-billion-dollar voluntary contribution specified in the charter is not a mandatory condition. It is the right of each participant. If such a contribution is made within the first year, the state may extend its membership beyond the initial three-year term. Kazakhstan joined the Peace Council without any financial contribution, in full compliance with the charter,” the statement said.

The specific terms under which Uzbekistan joined the organization remain unclear. However, Presidential Adviser and former Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov explained Uzbekistan’s decision.

“The primary task of the Peace Council is to resolve the Gaza crisis. Our President accepted Donald Trump’s proposal. The question arises: why did we support this initiative? First, we have security interests. Second, the council’s goals align fully with the fundamental principles of our foreign policy. Third, we have serious vital interests in this region,” Kamilov said.

According to him, Afghanistan is one of the reasons behind Uzbekistan’s decision. The situation there has worsened largely due to wars in the Middle East, from where extremist and terrorist groups have entered the country.

“Before the war began, there were no extremist or terrorist organizations in Afghanistan. After the conflict started, where did such groups come from? From the Middle East. Resolving the Middle East crisis is not easy. The region has rarely seen peace over the past century. That is why the entire international community must act together. Every step toward peace and stability matters. Uzbekistan will continue cooperating with the international community,” Kamilov said.

Uzbekistan’s army becomes the strongest in Central Asia

The world remains unstable. What was once a covert arms race is now unfolding openly. Against this backdrop, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev previously announced changes to Uzbekistan’s Defense Doctrine and National Security Concept. At an expanded meeting with representatives of the sector, it was reported that both the scale and quality of the country’s military-technical base, modern technologies, armaments, training tactics, and testing processes have significantly increased.

These developments were reflected in the latest ranking published by Global Firepower. According to the 2026 index, Uzbekistan improved its position by five places among 145 countries, rising to 53rd place in terms of military strength. As a result, it surpassed Kazakhstan, which ranked 58th, and became the leading military power in Central Asia.

The regional ranking is as follows: Uzbekistan ranks 53rd, Kazakhstan 58th, Turkmenistan 78th, Tajikistan 100th, and Kyrgyzstan 109th.

According to available data, one of Uzbekistan’s key advantages remains its mobilization potential. Nearly 16 million citizens are considered eligible for military service. Approximately 120,000 personnel serve in the armed forces, primarily in ground units.

The army operates 470 tanks and 8,692 armored vehicles. Its artillery arsenal includes 177 self-propelled guns, placing Uzbekistan 23rd globally in this category. In addition, the air force operates 159 aircraft, including 101 helicopters. With 34 attack helicopters, the country ranks 20th worldwide in this category.

“Uzbekistan’s independence cannot be accepted”

Defense issues are especially critical today. Increasingly, individuals appear who openly speak in their own interests, sometimes even issuing direct threats. This time, another provocative statement was made, declaring that “Uzbekistan’s independence cannot be accepted.” It is not difficult to guess which country’s citizen voiced such a remark.

Aleksandr Dugin, one of the ideologues of the so-called “Russian World,” a pro-Kremlin propagandist often described as “Putin’s brain,” stated that countries formerly part of the Soviet Union should once again come under Russian control. While controversial, his remarks have drawn widespread attention.

“The existence of sovereign Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, sovereign Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan cannot be accepted. In the new reality, there is no place for sovereignty. They will either be on our side, within a single union, or become footholds for the West, the European Union, the United States, or in some cases, China,” Dugin said.

He further emphasized that a “tripolar world” is emerging and argued that Russia should become a central power within it, strengthening control over surrounding regions.

“Our goal is to become one of the most important centers of power in a tripolar world: a sovereign, free, independent, and great state. Territories not under our control will not remain neutral or turn into peaceful ‘Switzerlands.’ On the contrary, they will become strongholds of other poles, primarily the more conflict-prone pole led by the United States,” he added.

Aleksandr Dugin, one of Russia’s most prominent nationalist-fascist ideologues, turned 64 on January 7 this year. According to World Health Organization statistics, 7–8 percent of the global population at this age experiences cognitive decline. However, Dugin’s refusal to recognize the independence of multiple states appears less a matter of age and more a continuation of his long-standing imperial rhetoric.

Following his remarks, former boxer Nikolai Valuev also issued threats toward Central Asian countries. He claimed that several military operations similar to those in Ukraine would be carried out in the near future.

“We are facing several special operations. The great philosopher Dugin is right. For 30 years we have tried to appease post-Soviet republics, but it did not work. We need a stick,” the athlete said.

Older generations may recall Valuev primarily from his bout against Ruslan Chagayev and from jokes made by comedian Khojiboy Tojiboyev.

As the comedian once noted, Chagayev landed relentless heavy blows on his opponent. Referring to the long-term impact of those blows, Ruslan Chagayev responded to Valuev, who is now active in politics as a deputy.

Information attacks by Russian propagandists may feel exhausting to many observers. However, they are unlikely to stop in the near future. Public figures, entertainment personalities, and influential media voices may continue to appear with questionable claims and incoherent narratives.

More journalists sent to prison

As the issue of journalists comes under discussion, attention is also drawn to two recent cases in Uzbekistan. A journalist affiliated with the “Xalqparvar Guruhi” outlet was sentenced to four years in prison, while two journalists associated with the “Qonun doirasida” project were detained.

According to a statement published on the official Telegram channel of the Fergana Regional Court, the Margilan City Criminal Court issued a verdict on January 20 against a citizen born in 1990, who had previously worked as a correspondent for AK XALQPARVAR GURUHI LLC (ANTIKORRUPSIYA media outlet) and had a prior criminal record. The court found him guilty of multiple offenses, including defamation, insult, extortion, resistance to a representative of authority or a person performing civic duties, unlawful possession, destruction, damage, or concealment of documents, stamps, seals, forms, state license plates of motor vehicles and their trailers, as well as dissemination of false information.

Based on Articles 59 and 61 of the Criminal Code, the court revoked his earlier conditional early release under Articles 60 and 61 and imposed a sentence of four years’ imprisonment. The sentence is to be served in a high-security correctional facility.

In Khorezm Region, lawyer Furqat Ro‘zmetov, who ran the “Qonun doirasida” project, and his employee Azamat Avezov were also detained on suspicion of committing a number of crimes. The regional Department of Internal Affairs reported the arrests.

Criminal proceedings were initiated against Furqat Sultonnazarovich Ro‘zmetov, born in 1980 in Urgench, and Azamat Ro‘zimboyevich Avezov, born in 1992 in Urgench District, as well as other individuals. They are suspected of offenses предусмотренные under relevant articles of the Criminal Code, including defamation, extortion, fraud, damage to or destruction of crops, forests, trees or other vegetation, production, forgery, sale or use of documents, stamps, seals and forms, and dissemination of false information.

Earlier, on January 16, four employees of the Taftish.uz website were also detained on suspicion of extortion and fraud.

Meanwhile, Botirjon Hamroyev, the former deputy governor of Andijan Region, who had been sentenced to seven years in prison for embezzlement and misappropriation of property, was released.

According to the press service of the Tashkent City Court, the Yunusabad District Criminal Court had considered a criminal case involving 29 defendants accused of abuse of office, misappropriation or embezzlement of property, and other crimes. Sentences were handed down under a verdict dated July 8, 2025.

On December 26, 2025, following a protest filed by the district prosecutor and appeals submitted by the defendants, the case was reviewed by the appellate instance of the Tashkent City Court. As a result, parts of the verdict relating to 24 defendants were amended.

In particular, the sentence imposed on Botirjon Hamroyev by the court of first instance — seven years’ imprisonment along with a three-year ban on holding certain positions — was replaced with a sentence of two years and six months of corrective labor, with 20 percent of his wages to be deducted to the state, due to compensation for the damage caused by the crime.

Uzbek national sentenced to life imprisonment for killing a Russian General

Judges of Russia’s Second Western District Military Court sentenced Ahmad Qurbonov, accused of carrying out a terrorist attack that killed Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, to life imprisonment. He was also fined 1 million rubles.

According to RBK, Qurbonov admitted his guilt and actively cooperated with investigators. The investigation alleges that on December 17, 2024, Qurbonov, an Uzbek national, acted on instructions from Ukraine’s Security Service and placed an electric scooter rigged with a remotely controlled explosive at the entrance of the building where General Kirillov lived. Afterward, the perpetrator entered a rented vehicle and livestreamed the events to Ukraine. The explosion occurred as General Kirillov and his aide, Major Ilya Polikarpov, exited the building, killing both officers.

In another case, an Uzbek national was also sentenced to prison in Russia. He received a sentence of seven years and nine months for attempting to evade participation in the war in Ukraine. Case materials indicate that the man had previously been convicted in April 2023 in Russia’s Chelyabinsk Region for attempting to sell narcotics and sentenced to 11 years and eight months in a high-security penal colony.

While serving his sentence, he signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and was sent to the combat zone in Ukraine. Under the terms of the contract, he was supposed to be released upon returning from the war, but he was wounded during hostilities and subsequently hospitalized at a military hospital in Novosibirsk. After completing treatment, on the evening of May 23, 2025, he went to a forested area near the border between Novosibirsk Region and Kazakhstan to meet a guide. The guide did not arrive, and a day later he was detained by officers of Russia’s Federal Security Service Border Service.

In September 2025, a military court found him guilty of attempting to illegally cross the state border and sentenced him to six months in prison. Taking into account the unserved portion of his previous sentence, the court ultimately ordered him to serve a total of seven years and nine months in a high-security colony.

This scenario may seem familiar. Numerous videos have circulated alleging that Russia is forming a “supplementary army” from migrants to send to the war. In one such video published by Ukrainian blogger Dmytro Karpenko, an Uzbek citizen claimed he was given a choice between a lengthy prison sentence or participation in the war.

A similar case occurred involving another Uzbek national. The Karasuk District Court in Russia’s Novosibirsk Region ordered the arrest of an Uzbek citizen accused of organizing illegal migration. According to investigators, he and his accomplices sold fake contracts to at least 270 foreign nationals via the internet. The press service of the regional courts of general jurisdiction reported the case.

Investigators allege that Khidirov acted as part of a premeditated group. They are accused of preparing and selling fraudulent civil-law contracts online to at least 270 foreign nationals, including citizens from member states of the Eurasian Economic Union. The court ordered the suspect to remain in custody until February 28, 2026. If convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison.

Nurzodbek Vohidov