Former Imam Odilxon Qori sentenced to eight years in prison

Odilxon Qori Ismoilov has been sentenced to eight years in prison, according to Aziz Obidov, spokesperson for the Supreme Court.

The criminal case against Ismoilov, the founder of "Rayxon Oilaviy Milliy Taomlari," who had no previous criminal record, and several other defendants was heard by the Pop District Criminal Court.

According to the court's verdict, all seven defendants were found guilty of crimes under Article 167, Part 3(a) of the Criminal Code (embezzlement or misappropriation), Article 209, Part 2(a) (official forgery), Article 227, Part 2(a) (unlawful acquisition, destruction, damage, or concealment of documents, stamps, seals, forms, or state registration plates of motor vehicles and their trailers), and Article 228, Part 2(a) and (b) (production, forgery, sale, or use of forged documents, stamps, seals, and forms).

Ismoilov was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, which, under Article 62 of the Criminal Code governing credit for time spent in pre-trial detention or house arrest, amounts to an effective sentence of seven years, 11 months, and 28 days. The remaining six defendants received prison sentences of varying lengths based on the nature of their criminal conduct.

The court also ruled that the material damages caused in the case would be recovered jointly and severally from the defendants.

For reference, Odilxon Qori was arrested by law enforcement authorities in January this year.

He served for many years at several major mosques in Tashkent, including as the chief imam of Shaykhontohur District and as imam of the Ko'kcha (Shaykh Zayniddin) Mosque.