Dmitry Li: Latest target in Uzbekistan’s political turmoil

Reports of another assassination attempt on a high-ranking official have emerged from Uzbekistan. Dmitry Li, the director of the National Agency for Promising Projects of the Republic of Uzbekistan, is believed to have been targeted. This follows closely after an attempt on the life of Komil Allamjonov, former head of the Information Policy Department under the Presidential Administration.

Two Russian Chechen nationals are accused of organizing these assassination attempts. They are now on Interpol’s wanted list:

• Bislan Rasaev: Born May 26, 1988, in Russia. Previously accused of participating in armed conflicts in Ukraine.
• Shamil Temurkhanov: Born August 10, 1993, in Russia. Height: 1.90 meters, weight: 90 kg.

The suspects reportedly acted on orders from clients offering $1.5 million to eliminate both Allamjonov and Li.

Charges include:

• Illegal border crossing: Rasaev allegedly crossed the Uzbek-Kyrgyz border with assistance from local accomplices.
• Smuggling: Both suspects reportedly transported materials for the planned crimes.
• Illegal possession and trafficking of weapons: Weapons allegedly intended for the murders were in their possession.
• Failure to report and conceal a crime: They are accused of helping to plan the crimes and withholding information.

Rasaev and Temurkhanov are said to have entered Uzbekistan using different routes: one illegally crossed the Kyrgyz border, while the other used the “Dostlik” checkpoint.

Dmitry Li has been the director of the National Agency for Promising Projects since 2022. His career spans roles in public education, mechanical engineering, and metallurgy. He also heads the Chess Federation of Uzbekistan.

Foreign media, including QALAMPIR.UZ has raised questions about Dmitry Li’s potential links to the so-called “Korean mafia” in Uzbekistan. However, these allegations remain unverified, and no evidence has been provided to support this claim.

Reports suggest that Dmitry Li may be a relative of the late Vitaly Fen, the former Uzbek Ambassador to South Korea. The late ambassador’s daughter, Natalia Fenni, was reportedly arrested in connection with the case involving Komil Allamjonov.

QALAMPIR.UZ contacted the Prosecutor General's Office regarding these allegations, but no official response has been provided. The lack of confirmation leaves many details of the case unclear.

The assassination attempts leave numerous unanswered questions:

• Who commissioned the attacks?
• Are there broader networks involved in the plot?

The situation remains fluid, with investigations ongoing and no official statements on the alleged arrests or motives behind the attacks.