The number of victims of riots in Karakalpakstan increases by 3 - General Prosecutor's Office

The number of citizens who died as a result of mass riots in the Republic of Karakalpakstan has increased by three.  Hayot Shamsutdinov, the press secretary of the Prosecutor General's Office, reported on this.

According to the representative of the office, 274 citizens applied for medical assistance and were given appropriate medical care.  Of this number, 16 citizens remain in medical institutions.  However, three citizens who were in critical condition, unfortunately passed away despite the efforts of doctors.

Currently, measures are being taken to identify the victims of the mass riots.  In particular, 141 law enforcement officials who were injured while performing their duty and 16 citizens whose health and the property was damaged were recognized as victims.

It should be recalled that on 1 and 2 July of the current year, in the city of Nukus of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, some citizens, having misinterpreted the constitutional reforms underway in the Republic of Uzbekistan, organized unexpected demonstrations.

The Supreme Council of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Karakalpakstan considered the situation as an attempt to seize the state administration in Nukus.

Following that, on 2 July, the president of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Karakalpakstan and talked with the Karakalpak people.

In addition, taking into account that the discussion of the changes and additions to the constitution is still ongoing, and after studying the opinions and comments expressed by the people of Karakalpakstan, the president declared that articles 70, 71, 72, 74, and 75 in the current version of the constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan should remain unchanged.

On 4 July, the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of Uzbekistan adopted a decision not to amend the articles of the constitution relating to Karakalpakstan.

During the incidents, 516 people were arrested, 243 injured and 18 killed.  Criminal proceedings were initiated under article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (infringement of the constitutional order of the Republic of Uzbekistan), part 4 – “Conspiracy to seize government or overthrow the constitutional regime of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.