Technical error: MIA revises charges against Mubashshir Ahmad

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has corrected an earlier misstatement regarding the charges against Mubashshir Ahmad (Alisher Ahmadovich Tursunov), a religious scholar and founder of the information and analytical portal Azon Global.

Previously, MIA spokesperson Shohrukh Giyasov reported that Mubashshir Ahmad was wanted under Part 1 of Article 244² of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, which pertains to establishing or participating in extremist or prohibited organizations. However, on February 21, Giyasov informed QALAMPIR.UZ that this was a technical error and that Ahmad is wanted under Article 244³—which relates to the illegal preparation, storage, import, or distribution of materials of religious content.

On August 11, 2023, the Investigation Department of the Shaykhontohur district initiated a criminal case against Alisher Tursunov (Mubashshir Ahmad), born in 1974, under Article 244³ of the Criminal Code. Later, on August 29, a wanted status was declared against him with a precautionary measure of “receipt of appropriate behavior”.

"The error occurred when entering information into the Main Center for Legal Statistics and Operational-Accounting Information of the MIA, where the charge was mistakenly recorded under Article 244². The mistake has now been corrected," said the MIA spokesperson.

Background on Mubashshir Ahmad

In August 2023, the website Azon.uz, founded by Ahmad, ceased operations. He later moved to Turkey, where he continued his activities through Azon Global. On December 28, 2023, he was detained by Turkish authorities and placed in the Binkilich deportation center in the Çatalca district of Istanbul.

On February 21, 2024, the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Istanbul confirmed that Mubashshir Ahmad had been released from the deportation center and reunited with his family.