Man dies after two days in police custody, family demands answers

Following the shocking murder of a woman and her child in the Uzun district of Surkhandarya, authorities reportedly took a local farmer, 50-year-old Tohirjon Hayitov, in for questioning. However, just two days later, on February 25, he was handed over to his family deceased, his son told QALAMPIR.UZ.

According to the son, Hayitov was taken from his home on February 23 and never returned alive.

“During this investigation, they tortured my father with slander, trying to frame him for the crime,” he claimed.

The farmer’s death was only acknowledged after his family protested. Officials stated that he died of a heart attack, yet his body was reportedly found dismembered in a morgue in the Sariosiyo district.

“My father was a healthy man. He spent his days farming and never had heart issues,” the son added, disputing the official cause of death.

Despite multiple inquiries sent by QALAMPIR.UZ to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Surkhandarya Regional Department of Internal Affairs, and the Prosecutor General's Office, officials have remained silent.

It is worth noting that just last week, reports surfaced that two individuals were released from a penal colony in Uzbekistan—both dead.