Governorate spokesperson steps down amid allegations of online abuse

The advisor to the Tashkent region's governor on information policy, the press secretary, Bekhzod Kabulov, has resigned from his post following a controversy that sparked widespread debate on social media. He announced his decision yesterday, August 25, on his Facebook page.

"After thoroughly considering the situation, I have decided to resign from the position of the Head of the Information Service of the Tashkent regional administration.

That’s it. My dignity is gone, in my opinion. For a year now, I have been constantly subjected to attacks, and I cannot silently watch as my colleagues, who are working honestly day and night and building the future with great effort, become the target of criticism because of my activities. The fact that the peace of the Tashkent regional administration’s team is being disturbed because of me, as my beloved poet Guljamol Asqarova put it, ‘insults my spirit.’ This team deserves respect", Kabulov mentioned.

He expressed sincere regret over the emergence of the negative information flow associated with him, stating that it would be appropriate for this matter to be resolved promptly and assessed by judicial and legal authorities.

What happened?

The press secretary’s resignation came in the wake of a video appeal posted on social media by former deputy, civic activist, and blogger Feruza Madrasulova. In her video message, she accused Kabulov of insulting her dignity. According to Madrasulova, the press secretary of the Tashkent regional governor, Bekhzod Kabulov, had shared a message in a public group filled with offensive remarks and slander against the blogger.

Kabulov, however, initially stated that the matter had been referred to the relevant law enforcement authorities, stressing that the writings in question did not belong to him and were fabricated.