Final Verdict Announced for Defendants in Nukus Riots Case

June 5, 2023 - Today, the Supreme Court delivered its verdict on the appeals court in the criminal case related to the mass riots that occurred in Nukus on July 1-2, 2022. The case, which involved 16 defendants, was reviewed by the court of the Republic of Karakalpakstan following appeals filed by the defendants and their lawyers against the sentence issued on January 31, 2023. Additionally, the prosecution had protested against a part of the sentence relating to four defendants. The appellate instance of the Criminal Trial Panel has concluded the review of this criminal case, and the decision has been announced, as reported by the Press Service of the Supreme Court.

Under the chairmanship of Supreme Court judge A. Bekmanov, the case was considered by a court comprising judges S. Mamadaliyeva and A. Utayev.

In its ruling on June 5, 2023, the Supreme Court made the following changes to the judgment of the court of the Republic of Karakalpakstan:

- The part of the sentence pertaining to the deceased P. Shamshetov was overturned. Moreover, according to Article 290 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, house 32 located on J. Seitova Street in Nukus, which belonged to P. Shamshetov, was decriminalized. The decision also involved the application of Articles 47 and 65 of the new version of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which determined the return of the property to the deceased's heirs.
- The appeals filed by B. Kadirbergenov, S. Medetov, B. Seytniyazov, Q. Seytimov, P. Nurniyazov, S. Kalimov, N. Sultamuratov, and A. Temirkhanov, along with their defense teams, were granted. Consequently, the revised sentences are as follows:
- B. Kadyrbergenov: 7 years of imprisonment and 5 years of restriction of liberty.
- B. Seytniyazov: 8 years of imprisonment and 4 years of restriction of liberty.
- S. Medetov: 7 years of imprisonment and 5 years of restriction of liberty.
- Q. Seytimov: 5 years of imprisonment and 5 years of restriction of liberty.
- P. Nurniyazov: 4 years of imprisonment and 4 years of restriction of liberty.
- S. Kalimov: 6 years of imprisonment and 5 years of restriction of liberty.
- N. Sultanmuratov: 3 years of imprisonment and 3 years of restriction of liberty.
- A. Temirkhanov: The sentence of 6 years of imprisonment was changed to 5 years of restriction of liberty.

As per Article 62 of the Criminal Code, their pretrial detention period was reduced by one day for each day served, leading to their release from prison in the courtroom.

The appeals of D. Jiyemuratov, N. Nayipov, R. Bekmuratov, S. Kaipov, A. Tokimbetov, and A. Adilbekov, along with their legal representatives, were partially granted.

Consequently, the revised sentences are as follows:
- D. Jiyemuratov: 8 years of imprisonment reduced to 6 years.
- A. Tokimbetov: 8 years and 6 months of imprisonment reduced to 5 years and 6 months.
- A. Adilbekov: 7 years of imprisonment reduced to 5 years.
- N. Nayipov: 7 years of imprisonment reduced to 4 years.
- R. Bekmuratov: 8 years of imprisonment reduced to 6 years.
- S. Kaipov: The sentence of 8 years of imprisonment was changed to 5 years of imprisonment.

The prosecutor's protest against the verdict of the court of first instance concerning L. Kallikhanova, A. Turdanov, A. Smetullayev, and A. Nuratdinov was rejected, and their punishments remained unchanged.

The appeals of D. Tajimuratov and his defense team were not granted, and the relevant part of the court verdict remained unaltered.

Furthermore, the court applied Articles 47 and 65 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan directly to compensate for the damages caused by A. Turdanov, A. Smetullayev, N. Nayipov, R. Bekmuratov, S. Kaipov, Q. Seytimov, and A. Adilbekov in the criminal case. Accordingly, the property will be confiscated and returned to its rightful owners in accordance with Article 290 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The rest of the sentence remained unchanged