The President expresses his condolences to the families of the victims in Karakalpakstan

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed condolences to the families who lost loved ones as a result of the events in Karakalpakstan.

The head of state said this today 6 July, at the beginning of a meeting of the video selector regarding measures to accelerate reforms in the construction and mortgage spheres and the transformation of higher educational institutions in the sphere of architecture.

At the beginning of the meeting, the head of state spoke about the situation in Karakalpakstan.

“Naturally, the unpleasant events that have taken place here cause us all anxiety and pain.

As a result of the events that occurred in the city of Nukus, several citizens were unfortunately injured and killed.

In this regard, I express my sincere condolences to families who lost their loved ones.  I wish the patients who are being treated in hospitals a fast recovery.

At such moments we feel even more deeply how precious peace and human life are, how important it is to keep them, and that we are all responsible for it," - the president said.

It should be recalled that on 1 and 2 July of the current year, in the city of Nukus of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, some citizens, having misinterpreted the constitutional reforms underway in the Republic of Uzbekistan, organized unexpected demonstrations.

The Supreme Council of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Karakalpakstan regarded the situation as an attempt to seize the state administration in Nukus.

After that, on 2 July, the president of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Karakalpakstan and talked with the Karakalpak people.

In addition, taking into account that the discussion of the changes and additions to the constitution is still ongoing, and after considering the opinions and comments expressed by the people of Karakalpakstan, the president declared that the articles of 70, 71, 72, 74, 75 in current version of the constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan should remain unchanged.

On 4 July, the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of Uzbekistan adopted a decision not to amend the articles of the constitution relating to Karakalpakstan.

During the incidents, 516 people were arrested, 243 injured and 18 killed.  Criminal proceedings were initiated under article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (infringement of the constitutional order of the Republic of Uzbekistan), part 4 – “Conspiracy to seize government or overthrow the constitutional regime of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.