Citizen’s injury during arrest in Sergeli raises concerns (video)

A video circulating on social media claims that law enforcement officers in the Sergeli district of Tashkent caused physical harm to a citizen. The capital's Department of Internal Affairs has provided details regarding the incident.

According to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), the event took place on February 8, 2025, at 16:00. Officers from the Sergeli district stopped a black Gentra vehicle in the Nogaykorgan neighborhood for inspection due to suspicious activity. The vehicle's occupants, identified as F, J, N, and O—all previously convicted—resisted the officers and attempted to flee.

Following their arrest, it was discovered that J, born in 1998, was carrying a yellow plastic bag containing various drugs prepared for illegal distribution. A forensic chemical examination later confirmed the substances to be potent medications.

A criminal case under Article 2511 of the Criminal Code (illegal circulation of potent substances or products promoting their use) has been opened, and precautionary detention measures were applied to the suspects.

Regarding Allegations of Injury: The DIA addressed claims made in the video that officers had injured the citizen. They accused the social media activist of presenting a biased narrative without obtaining comments from officials or considering the reason for the individual's detention. According to DIA, J sustained a fracture to his fifth metatarsal bone (right foot) due to his carelessness while fleeing from law enforcement officers, and not as a result of officer actions.

An official medical examination diagnosed the injury as "closed fracture of the fifth metatarsal base of the right foot, with satisfactory alignment."

The Human Rights Ombudsman of the Oliy Majlis has taken the case under supervision and has submitted a request to the Prosecutor General’s Office, urging an impartial and transparent investigation.

Background: On April 19, a separate incident occurred in the Chilonzor district of Tashkent, where a Lacetti driver under the influence of narcotics caused a road accident and attempted to flee. The driver was detained, and narcotics-related evidence was found in the vehicle.