Uzbeks sentenced to death in Malaysia are alive – Foreign Ministry

Earlier, it was reported that three Uzbek citizens who traveled to Malaysia had been sentenced to death. It has now been clarified that they are alive and are serving prison sentences. This was stated by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Omonulla Fayziyev in response to an inquiry from QALAMPIR.UZ.

It was noted that in September 2010, Uzbek citizens N.S., N.D. and J.J. were detained by Malaysian law enforcement agencies at Kuala Lumpur International Airport while attempting to smuggle more than 12 kilograms of narcotic substances. They were later sentenced to death by a Malaysian court.

In order to protect the rights and legitimate interests of the citizens, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Malaysia submitted several official appeals in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2020 to Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prosecutor General’s Office, Supreme Court and the King of Malaysia requesting clemency for them. In 2018, Malaysia introduced a moratorium on the execution of the death penalty. Later, under the law “On the Review of Cases of Persons Sentenced to Death and Life Imprisonment,” which entered into force on March 18, 2024, the Malaysian Supreme Court commuted the previous death sentences of the three Uzbek citizens to 30 years in prison.

Under Malaysian law, taking into account the procedure for serving sentences and benefits provided for good behavior, the sentences of these citizens are expected to end in 2030. They are currently serving their sentences at Kajang Prison in Malaysia’s Selangor state.

“The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Malaysia regularly holds consular meetings with them and provides the necessary consular and legal assistance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to take appropriate measures to protect the rights and legitimate interests of Uzbek citizens abroad,” Omonulla Fayziyev said.