National Guard officers guarding singer: Is this legal? (video)

Videos circulating on social media show singer Dildora Niyazova being guarded by National Guard officers during a concert. In the footage, two female National Guard officers can be seen protecting the artist from the surrounding crowd while Niyazova performs. This unexpected sight has sparked discussions about the legality of National Guard involvement in such events. The Jizzakh Regional National Guard Department has since commented on the incident.

According to the report, the event where the National Guard was present took place on February 2.

"At 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., a concert program by pop star Dildora Niyazova was organized by the private enterprise 'Sevimli Navo' at the 'Versal' wedding and celebration complex in Jizzakh," the report stated.

"At public events like this, the National Guard and law enforcement agencies are involved to maintain public order, ensure safety at the venue, and protect citizens," the report continued.

It was noted that the National Guard and other partner ministries helped ensure the security of the venue.

"The situation escalated during the last song of the concert when the audience surrounded the singer, blocking her path and preventing her from returning to the stage. At this point, National Guard female officers stepped in and assisted Niyazova in making her way back to her assigned room. A video of the incident was later shared on social media," the report stated.

But how legal is it for National Guard officers, who are funded by the state budget, to provide services for artists?

According to Article 3 of the Law on Security Activities, protected objects include buildings, structures, and individuals under protection as specified by law.

However, Article 13 of the law stipulates that the National Guard of Uzbekistan should provide security services on a contractual basis for facilities that need protection, upon the requests of individuals or legal entities.

In this case, the Jizzakh National Guard Department confirmed that no contract had been made with either Dildora Niyazova or the private enterprise organizing the event.

Article 14 of the law also outlines that some entities, such as security units of state bodies, carry out security activities without a contract. 

Dildora Niyazova herself has since commented on the situation, clarifying that she did not pay for the National Guard personnel.

It is worth noting that this incident follows a similar case where four "bodyguards" in military uniforms guarding the "Kokand healer" Ikboljon Soliev were held accountable.