Supporters of terrorist organization detained in Namangan, including private university owner (video)

A clandestine “community” affiliated with the international terrorist organization “Islamic State of Khorasan Province” has been uncovered in the city of Namangan, according to the State Security Service.

Authorities conducted searches at the residences of 16 individuals linked to the group, seizing 37 mobile devices, 51 pieces of unpublished religious literature, 40 DVDs, 4 flash drives, a laptop, and a tablet as material evidence.

The community’s gatherings, organized by a resident of the Davlatabad district, reportedly featured active promotion of “jihad” and “martyrdom” inspired by the ideological leaders of international terrorist organizations.

Additionally, the leader of the group created several Telegram channels and chat groups with over 120 members in total. These platforms were used to disseminate materials containing the terrorist group’s symbols, extremist content, and audio-visual files promoting “jihad.” Discussions were also held to further spread radical ideologies.

These virtual channels published posts and religious messages aimed at spreading the so-called principles of the “Islamic State,” advocating the indoctrination of youth in a “jihadi” spirit under “sharia law,” and fostering discontent toward political and socio-religious reforms in Uzbekistan.

It was noted that the group’s leader underwent a significant ideological shift after attending religious classes at a “hujra” (clandestine religious school) in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2022. After her father warned her about the dangerous path she had chosen, she reportedly denounced him as an “infidel.”

Among the detainees is also the founder of a private university located in Namangan.

A criminal case has been initiated against the organizer and three active members of the group under relevant articles of the Criminal Code. They have been placed in pre-trial detention. Investigations are ongoing against the remaining members.

As a reminder, in May of this year, another secret extremist community belonging to a jihadist religious movement was uncovered in the Andijan region.