Weekly digest: State failures, migrant tragedies, and official indifference

We are people who did not conclude the death of 65 orphans due to the Doc-1 Max drug. If we had, things would be different today. In particular, the system might have changed, and some of our doctors would have treated their work and human health more seriously, less selfishly. Instead of quickly prescribing powerful antibiotics and hormones—usually discouraged in pediatric care globally—they would have taken time to evaluate each case properly.

Last week, I visited several private clinics and state hospitals and spoke to pediatricians. Of course, among them are many who are devoted to their profession and who risk their lives for the nation’s health. Hospitals are filled with children and parents who trustingly rush to pharmacies with whatever prescription the doctor gives. Most troubling is how easily strong medications are sold without prescriptions. But are antibiotics and hormones the only cure for acute respiratory viral infections or pneumonia in children? Shouldn’t treatment be based on a child’s history, current blood tests, X-rays, and other diagnostics?

Yesterday, I spoke to a doctor at a state hospital who wrote with regret that in some private clinics, children are being used like test subjects—prescribed antibiotics and hormones indiscriminately "on demand." This reckless practice can lead to serious health complications in the future. It’s painful to admit, but sometimes a doctor who barely knows a child cares more than the child's parents.

Those accused in the death of a TV presenter were punished

Let’s begin with healthcare-related news. Following the tragic death of 31-year-old Ramina Yagafarova, a presenter for the “Dunyo Boyalab” TV channel, two doctors from the private clinic where she died have been criminally punished.

Court records reveal that the doctors worked as resuscitation specialists at a private clinic owned by Doctor Servis LLC. On September 12, 2023, Yagafarova visited her mother in the clinic. She took “Tigeron,” a drug she had brought with her, and suffered an anaphylactic shock in response.

Despite clear symptoms of anaphylactic shock, the doctor misdiagnosed her with an "anaphylactic drug reaction" and began treatment inconsistent with the national clinical protocol. According to the protocol approved on November 30, 2021, the first response should have been administering epinephrine (adrenaline), which supports vital organ function—but the doctor neglected to prescribe it.

Furthermore, while the doctor claimed Yagafarova had pneumonia, no X-rays were taken to confirm it. Instead of consulting specialists, the doctor prescribed a cocktail of inappropriate drugs, including “Calcium gluconate” (which releases histamine and can worsen anaphylaxis) and “Promedol” (a narcotic used for pain relief), which were both contraindicated. He also administered 400 ml of “Sodium bicarbonate,” a drug not typically used for anaphylactic shock and known to potentially cause seizures.

The patient was left unattended for 12 hours. The second doctor, who saw Yagafarova in serious condition, confirmed the diagnosis of anaphylactic shock but also failed to transfer her to a specialized medical institution. Instead, he simply noted in the records that the family declined the offer for transfer—a claim not independently verified.

He, too, prescribed unsuitable medications such as “Sodium thiosulfate” and “Calcium gluconate,” worsening her condition. As a result, Yagafarova suffered seizures and eventually died of aspiration due to mechanical asphyxiation.

At the April 7 trial in Chilanzar District Criminal Court, both doctors pleaded not guilty. Nevertheless, they were convicted under Part 3 of Article 116 of the Criminal Code for improper performance of professional duties. Each received a sentence of 4 years of restricted liberty and a 1.5-year ban on working in the healthcare system as resuscitation specialists. The court also ordered them to pay 334 million 150 thousand soums (approx. $26,000) in damages to the victim’s legal representative. That, it seems, is what a human life is worth.

Erkinjon Turdimov took dictation from regional leaders

My grandmother Vasila Khojaeva became a school principal at 23 and held the position until retirement. People say she would test the literacy of every new teacher, requiring them to write dictations or applications. In her view, those educating the nation’s children had to be literate first and foremost. I recalled this when I heard last week that Syrdarya regional governor Erkinjon Turdimov held a dictation session for senior and junior regional leaders—an attempt to assess literacy levels at a time when illiteracy is on the rise.

Officials say the exercise was part of a campaign to evaluate literacy among senior staff. Uzbekistan is currently navigating a transition between two alphabets. Many middle-aged citizens still heavily rely on Cyrillic, even though a 2023 government resolution mandated that all official documents be issued in Latin-based Uzbek.

In Syrdarya, the implementation of this policy was reviewed during a meeting led by Governor Turdimov, and a dictation was conducted. The results were dismal: 6 out of 9 senior staff in the Health Department, 4 out of 5 in the Regional Electric Networks JSC, 7 out of 10 in the Uztelecom JSC Syrdarya branch, and 4 out of 8 in the regional branch of Uzbekistan Pochtasi JSC all received failing grades.

Illiteracy, whether minor or major, has deep consequences. It breeds misunderstanding and ignorance—not just individual but societal. And as past tragedies have shown, ignorance can be fatal.

Yet it is the state that bears the ultimate responsibility for literacy reform. What seeds the government sows will bear fruit. Despite existing policies, language and alphabet issues remain largely unchecked, often igniting heated debates among activists. Rather than fostering resolution, the debate spirals into accusations of nationalism.

Moreover, the Russian language remains dominant in many government departments and private firms, with official documents frequently produced in Cyrillic. The draft law proposing an Uzbek alphabet of 28 letters and 1 letter combination still hasn’t passed. Even Saida Mirziyoyeva, Assistant to the President, acknowledged these issues during a December 2023 conference, but she hasn’t returned to the topic since.

US import duties are also affecting Uzbekistan

US import tariffs are affecting Uzbekistan too, raising the risk of aggressive trade competition from other countries. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed the issue during a recent videoconference meeting.

He warned that trust between nations is being undermined. According to him, many officials seem unaware of the gravity of the situation—an indifference he described as a betrayal of the people.

Countries facing higher import duties may now aggressively target markets that Uzbekistan has entered, including yarn, fabrics, ready-made textiles, and household appliances. Rather than anticipating such competition, some Uzbek officials are hindering entrepreneurs by clinging to outdated regulations and fostering corruption, especially in standardization and certification processes.

The President also spoke about the long-standing frustration of domestic producers. A local manufacturer struggles to create products, only to see competitors import cheaper goods by underreporting costs and paying minimal duties. These low-cost imports then undercut domestic prices, putting Uzbek businesses at a disadvantage. Mirziyoyev acknowledged this and proposed a solution.

From July 1, all export restrictions will be lifted, except for raw materials and socially critical products under 86 specific commodity groups. Additionally, when adjusting coefficients for land tax and rent at the local level, authorities must consider the financial capacity of businesses.

“Revenue shouldn’t be increased by raising taxes,” said the President. “Instead, if we support entrepreneurs and expand the tax base, revenue will naturally grow, and entrepreneurs will willingly comply.”

To ease the burden, entrepreneurs will now be allowed to pay certain taxes in two installments per year.

7th Grader Found Dancing in a Nightclub in Khorezm

We often talk about illiteracy, but one thing must be acknowledged—it does not arise solely from the will or actions of an individual. The state and society play the most critical roles in this issue. A recent incident in Urgench, Khorezm region, where a 7th-grade student was found dancing in a nightclub, clearly illustrates this point.

Last week, law enforcement and regulatory agencies in Khorezm conducted inspections and raids on night-time establishments including cafes, bars, and restaurants.

During one such operation, authorities discovered that the manager of a disco had allowed a 14-year-old girl—still in 7th grade—to dance in the nightclub, despite being underage.

An administrative offense report was filed against the club manager under Part 2 of Article 188 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility (involving a minor in antisocial behavior).

It was determined that the girl had been left in a socially dangerous situation without parental supervision and was subsequently placed in the Center for Social and Legal Assistance to Minors under the Department of Internal Affairs.

According to the Khorezm Regional Department of Preschool and School Education, the girl had been enrolled at School No. 8 in Urgench. However, on November 24, 2024, she was removed from the student registry by Resolution No. 162 of the Urgench City Commission for Children’s Issues. Following this resolution, the school issued an official order on December 3, 2024, confirming her expulsion.

The girl reportedly traveled with her parents to St. Petersburg, Russia, in December 2024 and returned to Uzbekistan in February 2025. However, her return was not reported to the school or any relevant authority. She remains unregistered in any school in the region. Just look at this situation. The same excuses we hear when an official is caught accepting bribes—claims that a dismissal order had been issued a day before or that the offense occurred outside of work hours—are now being used to deflect responsibility. But where are the district or precinct inspectors in all this?

Four Uzbek Citizens Found Dead in a Kaliningrad Apartment

Amid rising tensions for Central Asian migrants in Russia—where even Kyrgyz nationals are reportedly barred from using public restrooms—four Uzbek citizens were found dead in an apartment building on Gagarin Street in Kaliningrad last week. The group had recently arrived for work.

Investigators found no signs of foul play. The four had moved into Apartment No. 5 at 22 Gagarin Street about a month ago.

After their bodies were removed, the apartment was sealed, and neighbors were questioned. Residents reported that the deceased Uzbeks rarely came home and worked long hours.

Preliminary findings suggest the cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning. According to the regional Investigative Committee, the rented apartment had faulty or poorly maintained gas equipment.

"The regional prosecutor’s office is monitoring the case. The apartment owner may be held liable. Under the article under which the case was opened, the maximum penalty is several years in prison," said Natalya Gatsko, senior assistant to the head of the Kaliningrad regional Investigative Committee.

Following these tragic events, a parliamentary inquiry was submitted last week to Uzbekistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhtiyor Saidov, asking what measures are being taken to protect the rights and interests of Uzbek citizens abroad.

It is worth noting that in many cases, the Ministry does not respond to incidents involving Uzbeks who are victims of crimes, accidents, or even murders abroad—and often fails to address the issue of repatriating their bodies. Many still do not know how to return the remains of their loved ones to Uzbekistan.

Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs often ignores the mistreatment of Uzbek labor migrants, particularly in Russia.

When Uzbeks commit crimes abroad and are prosecuted, the Ministry also tends to stay silent. A recent example involves three Uzbeks sentenced to death for the murder of a Jewish rabbi in the UAE. Although the Ministry did not issue an official statement, it confirmed its involvement through oral responses to journalists.

While the Ministry frequently publishes general statements on its website and social media, many critical details remain unexplained.

In response to the criticism, the Ministry’s spokesperson posted a message on social media last week affirming that the Ministry continues to prioritize the protection of Uzbek citizens abroad.

The spokesperson noted that Uzbekistan’s diplomatic and consular missions are in direct contact with relevant agencies in foreign countries to address such matters.

Uzbek Woman Accused of Killing Her Husband in Istanbul

Continuing on this topic, Turkish media recently reported that a 28-year-old Uzbek woman in Istanbul stabbed her husband to death during a domestic dispute. However, the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Istanbul stated that the woman may not be responsible for the man's death.

The incident, which occurred on April 6, 2025, only came to public attention last week. Reports say a dispute over financial matters escalated into violence between the couple—married for four years. Allegedly, the woman, angered after being beaten by her husband, stabbed him with a kitchen knife. He later died from his injuries.

The man's body has been sent for autopsy. The woman was arrested while trying to flee. An investigation is ongoing.

The Consulate General in Istanbul indicated that the deceased was strangling the woman when he was stabbed in the back, suggesting the possibility that someone else may have been responsible.

An interview with the woman’s aunt was shared on the consulate's social media. According to the aunt, the husband was intoxicated at the time and had a history of physical and psychological abuse. There were reportedly other individuals present during the incident. Initial investigations suggest the man was stabbed while strangling the woman.

The suspect is receiving legal and consular support and has been provided with a defense attorney. The Consulate General has stated that the matter is under its control.

Uzbek Woman Convicted of Killing Her Son in Russia

A 40-year-old Uzbek woman was convicted in Kazan, Russia, last week for killing her 17-year-old son.

She was found guilty of causing minor bodily harm with a weapon, which resulted in death by negligence. The court sentenced her to 1 year and 4 months in prison. However, since she had already been in pre-trial detention since July 28, 2024, she was released immediately. The precautionary measure was also lifted.

The incident occurred in July 2024 during a domestic argument. The woman stabbed her son twice, and doctors were unable to save him. He was later buried in Uzbekistan.

Both the victim’s father and sister testified in her defense. The father said the boy had attempted suicide several times and described the woman as kind and compassionate, stating she could not have intended to kill her son.

Man Shoots 52 Radar Cameras with Air Rifle in Andijan

This next story is both tragic and darkly comedic. In Andijan, a man was discovered to have shot and disabled 52 radar cameras using an air rifle.

Born in 1976, the suspect intentionally damaged 51 Hikvision photo and video surveillance devices installed at 29 intersections around the city, along with one Hikvision radar system, by shooting them with an air rifle.

His actions caused damage estimated at 1.147 billion soums—around 88,300 USD.

A criminal case has been opened against him under Part 2 of Article 173 (deliberate destruction or property damage) of the Criminal Code, and investigative work is underway.

TV Presenter Husnora Shodieva Says Traffic Officer Insulted Her Mother

TV presenter Husnora Shodieva released an emotional video on Instagram, in which she tearfully claimed that a traffic officer in Tashkent insulted her mother.

The incident reportedly took place on Nukus Street in Tashkent. Shodieva said she was waiting at a stop sign when a traffic officer began yelling at her, calling her an “idiot” and using foul language, including insulting her mother.

She attempted to confront the officer afterward, but by then he had left the scene. Other officers in the area allegedly tried to protect or hide the offending inspector.

Shodieva stated that her car did not have a dashcam, so she was unable to record the incident. Days after the complaint, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Tashkent City Traffic Safety Service still had not issued a response.

This case adds to growing dissatisfaction regarding the Ministry’s actions. Earlier this week, it was revealed that the ministry suspended its cooperation with the Road24 app, which previously provided users with information on traffic violations and fines.

The Traffic Safety Service spokesperson, Zoyir Yuldoshev, stated that starting April 14, such services will only be available through the "Safe Road" application.

Road24 responded via Telegram:

“Yes. As for the Traffic Safety Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, instead of acting like a state institution that ensures equal opportunity for all, it did what it pleased. The old days are back.”

This portion of the message was later deleted by the app administrators.

The transition from Road24 to the Safe Road app has sparked intense debate and criticism online. Many journalists, social activists, and economists have raised concerns over the lack of public tenders or competitive selection. So far, officials have not responded to this criticism.

Suspicious Funds Linked to Lola Tillyaeva Found in Swiss Bank

“When discussing the protection of our younger generation from spiritual threats, we must not only speak of our people’s great virtues but also openly address the harmful habits that hindered development—left over from the past. We must work to eliminate vices such as selfishness, indifference, nepotism, corruption, and disregard for others.”

These are the words of Uzbekistan’s first president, Islam Karimov, from his 2008 book High Spirituality is an Invincible Force.

Recently, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and Le Monde revealed confidential correspondence between the Swiss bank Reil Intesa Sanpaolo and the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), exposing serious weaknesses in the bank’s anti-money laundering practices. The documents also mention Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva, the youngest daughter of Islam Karimov, and her husband, Timur Tillyaev.

According to the report, during a 2023 audit, FINMA found the bank to be grossly negligent regarding money laundering risks and due diligence, especially about high-risk accounts.

In 2012, FINMA warned that Fidurho—a wealth management firm that handled the couple’s accounts—posed an “exceptionally high” risk. By 2014, the couple's accounts had swelled to 190 million Swiss francs. FINMA ordered Fidurho to sever ties with them or face losing its license. One of the firm’s founders was later fined for failing to report suspicious transactions involving the Tillyaevs.

In 2020, Tillyaev’s company, Liobel Limited Inc., opened an account with Reil Bank. Three years later, Tillyaev opened a personal account there. As of December 2023, one of the accounts held 83 million francs ($97 million).

In January 2024, regulators demanded that Reil Bank submit full documentation on accounts linked to Tillyaev and any other clients with ties to Uzbekistan. In its response, the bank acknowledged reviewing these accounts due to Tillyaev’s “potentially high reputation risk,” particularly in light of controversies surrounding Lola’s sister, Gulnara Karimova.

For reference, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva currently resides in the U.S. with her husband and children. She manages the “You Are Not Alone” Foundation and the Islam Karimov Republican Public Foundation remotely. She also launched the luxury fragrance brand “The Harmonist” in the U.S. Her daughter, Maryam Tillyayeva, lives in Tashkent with her grandmother, Tatyana Karimova, and works as a blogger.