Supreme Court urges against exerting pressure in Mubashshir Ahmad’s trial

An open trial began today, August 19, at the Uchtepa District Court regarding the criminal case against religious scholar and blogger Mubashshir Ahmad (Alisher Tursunov), founder of the “Azon Global” news-analytical portal. The Supreme Court’s press secretary, Aziz Obidov, urged journalists and bloggers to refrain from actions that could create social pressure on the court in connection with this case.

He emphasized that, based on the presumption of innocence, the defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty by a court verdict that has entered into legal force. Social media users were asked not to engage in speculation or assumptions regarding Alisher Tursunov’s guilt or innocence and to avoid drawing hasty conclusions. Only the court has the authority to legally determine the defendant’s culpability.

“Journalists and bloggers are urged to refrain from making statements that could cast doubt on the court’s impartiality and fairness or create social pressure on the judiciary,” the press secretary said.

Aziz Obidov also reminded that, in accordance with Article 66 of the Law “On Courts,” the media are not entitled to predetermine the outcome of a court trial in their reports or influence the court in any way.

The criminal case is being heard at the Uchtepa District Court under Judge B. Rahimov. According to the investigation’s indictment, Alisher Tursunov is accused of committing crimes under Article 156, Part 2 of the Criminal Code (incitement of national, racial, ethnic, or religious hatred), Article 244-1, part 3, paragraph “g” (preparation, possession, distribution, or demonstration of materials that threaten public safety and order), and Article 244-3 (illegal preparation, possession, import, or distribution of religious materials). At present, the preventive measure of detention has been applied to the defendant. Additional information will be provided at the conclusion of the trial.

It is worth noting that earlier, in May of this year, Alisher Tursunov was taken from his home in the Bahçeşehir district of Istanbul as a suspect. Later, social media reports claimed he had been extradited from Turkey to Uzbekistan. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan subsequently officially confirmed his extradition.