Police officers and citizens clash in Fergana (video)

Reports have surfaced on social media regarding an incident in the Furqat district of the Fergana region, where police officers and National Guard personnel allegedly forced a private entrepreneur out of her shop and detained her for eight hours. The regional Department of Internal Affairs has provided information on the matter.  

The incident occurred on November 21 during the installation of cameras by the entrepreneur outside shops on Istiqlol Street. Citizens F.R. (female), D.Yu., U.M., and minor A.A. reportedly resisted the installation.  

“Following an appeal, district police inspectors arrived at the scene to mediate. However, the citizens engaged in a quarrel, disregarding social conduct rules. They resisted the lawful demands of the officers, used force, and damaged their uniforms,” stated the Internal Affairs Department.  

The Prosecutor’s Office of the Furqat District is conducting a pre-investigation into the incident.  

A video shared online shows police officers forcing citizens into a vehicle. Reports allege that the entrepreneur’s husband and 15-year-old son were also forcibly taken to the Internal Affairs Department and held there until 2 a.m. Witnesses claim that two police officers were intoxicated. Additionally, it is alleged that officers returned to the store without the owner's permission to remove the camera's memory and used abusive language while forcing the entrepreneur into their car.  

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has not yet issued a comment regarding these allegations.