Students were seen smoking cigarettes in a classroom in Tashkent — the incident is suspected to be staged

Videos circulating on social media showed some students smoking while others played on their phones at the 28th General Education School in the Yangiyol district of Tashkent region. The regional department of pre-school and school education responded to the situation.

According to the department, an individual named I.Q., who was employed at the 28th General Secondary School until January 25, 2024, had been illegally interfering with the school director's activities for several months. I.Q. allegedly attempted to discredit the director by spreading false information, taking unfounded videos, and sharing them on social media. He also filed complaints with various higher authorities using false information.

Reports indicate that the video in question was orchestrated by I.Q.

It was discovered that five months ago, I.Q. gained the trust of 11th-grade students and used them for his malicious purposes. Specifically, he staged the situation depicted in the video to discredit the current school administration and make it public on social media.

"The school director, G.Sh, has filed a complaint against I.Q. with law enforcement agencies, which are currently investigating the matter," the report stated.

It is also worth noting that in a previous incident in the Fergana region, a school director hit a schoolgirl who refused to remove her headscarf, resulting in her injury.