“Serious health condition”: Mubashshir Ahmad reportedly held in poor conditions in penal colony

north_east

Will Mubashir Ahmad appeal the verdict? Lawyers and the public express discontent

Religious scholar and blogger Mubashshir Ahmad (Alisher Tursunov), founder of the Azon Global analytical news portal, is reportedly being held in harsh conditions at a penal colony in Navoi despite serious health problems. This was reported to QALAMPIR.UZ by Tursunov’s lawyer, Abdulloh Sodiq.

According to the lawyer, Alisher Tursunov (Mubashshir Ahmad) is currently serving a sentence of two years and six months’ imprisonment at Penal Colony No. 5 under the Department for the Execution of Punishments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan, located in Qiziltepa district of Navoi region.

Despite repeated motions filed during the investigation and court proceedings stating that Tursunov’s health condition was poor, that he has long suffered from type II diabetes, and that he should not be kept in custody, these circumstances were not taken into account when deciding on the preventive measure and sentencing.

It is noted that when lawyers met Tursunov in person at Penal Colony No. 5 on November 26, 2025, it became known that his blood pressure had exceeded 180 mmHg on several occasions, his kidneys were not functioning properly due to diabetes, his legs were severely swollen, and other accompanying illnesses posed a serious threat to his health and life.

These facts were also confirmed in a written response provided to an official lawyer’s inquiry submitted by the defense.

During a follow-up meeting with Mubashshir Ahmad on December 26, he stated that he had not received any of the treatments mentioned in the letter. He said that he had only undergone a medical examination, had not been hospitalized, was not provided with medication, and was not even allowed sufficient rest.

However, when lawyers visited the Department for the Execution of Punishments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on two occasions, the deputy head of the department and the head of the medical service reportedly provided inaccurate information, claiming that the inmate had repeatedly received treatment at the medical unit, was currently undergoing treatment, was in good health, and therefore was being taken out to work.

It was also reported that during his sentence, Tursunov has been forcibly assigned to work at one of the brick factories located in Qiziltepa district.

The lawyer added that despite his client’s severe health condition, he is being forced to stand and walk for up to 16 hours a day while working.

“Knowing full well that Alisher Tursunov is in poor health, suffering from diabetes, with swollen legs, kidney problems, and various wounds appearing on his body, what is the purpose of forcing him to work in heavy labor under cold weather conditions?” Abdulloh Sodiq asked.

According to him, these facts — including that the prisoner, who was transferred on October 28, 2025, has received medical treatment three times within one month and suffers from diabetes, arthrosis, angina, and other accompanying illnesses — indicate that he is unable to serve a sentence involving deprivation of liberty.

Tursunov has also stated that under the law, having served one-third of his sentence, he should be transferred to a settlement colony on March 11, 2026. However, he fears that pressure may be exerted on him, that minor issues could be formally recorded as rule violations, and that his transfer could be deliberately delayed.

In addition, Mubashshir Ahmad complained that he is not being treated equally compared to other inmates. As an example, he said that some prisoners who catch a simple cold are allowed to stay in the medical unit for five to six days, while he, despite suffering from multiple illnesses, severe leg swelling, and wounds on his legs darkening and progressing toward gangrene — in other words, despite being in critical condition — is not permitted to receive treatment and is instead forced to go to work.

He further reported that his complaints about pain in his legs and wounds are being ignored, that he is only given painkilling injections as a temporary measure, after which the pain returns, making it difficult for him to walk.

“In this condition, A. Tursunov is forced to sleep on an upper bunk. The wound on his leg causes him pain every time he climbs up or down and has led to him falling several times. Most regrettably, pressure is reportedly being applied to my client, urging that his lawyers visit him less frequently or, if possible, not visit at all,” Abdulloh Sodiq said.