On 25 August, the trial of 22-year-old Shia Muslim Sunnatillo Akparov began at Samarkand District Court. The government's Religious Affairs Committee's "expert analysis" of marthiyas (Shia musical lamentations) on a Shia Telegram channel he had run claimed they "encouraged the activity and teachings of various [unspecified] ideological movements". An Investigator of Samarkand Police brought the criminal case for distribution of "materials containing a threat to public security and public order". Akparov faces a jail term of 5 to 8 years if convicted.

During the 25 August trial hearing, Judge Aziz Lazizov tried to pressure Akparov to admit guilt. "The Judge insisted that Akparov admit that he had two songs on his phone that were 'Wahhabi' extremist material," an individual familiar with the case told Forum 18 (see below).

After initially denying that he was hearing the case, Judge Lazizov insisted to Forum 18 that Akparov "listened to extremist songs. The punishment for this is imprisonment." Asked why listening to an "extremist" song is equal to a serious crime and deserves imprisonment, the Judge did not answer. The next hearing is scheduled for 25 September (see below).

On 30 August, Police again raided the Samarkand homes of the parents of two Shia Muslims who had fled Uzbekistan for fear of punishment, Sukhrob Komil ugli and Shakhrizod Isroilov. "A copy of the Koran published and officially stamped in Uzbekistan was confiscated from the home of Isroilov's parents," an individual told Forum 18 (see below).

Muslim prisoner of conscience Alimardon Sultonov was tortured in prison in Navoi and put in an isolation cell in July. He was among prisoners taken to work in the fields. "It was a scorching hot day, which felt like 60 degrees [Celsius]. He fainted and lost consciousness for maybe ten minutes," Sultonov's mother told Forum 18. Prison guards continued torturing him when he regained consciousness. When he complained against the guards to the prison administration, it incarcerated him in an isolation cell for 15 days (see below).

The duty officer at Navoi Prison No. 4 refused to take any questions about Sultonov's treatment or put Forum 18 through to any responsible officials, including Governor Lazizbek Mamatnazarov. "We were instructed that now we cannot answer any questions," he told Forum 18 (see below).

Forum 18 tried to get answers on the conditions of Sultonov and other prisoners of conscience jailed for exercising freedom of religion or belief from the Interior Ministry's Department of Execution of Punishments in Tashkent. Asked why Sultonov was tortured in prison, the official who answered the phone at the reception of Department Head Azizkhon Umarkhanov responded: "No one will answer your questions over the phone" (see below).

Muslim prisoner of conscience Alijon Mirganiyev is serving his sentence in Prison No. 43 in Tashkent Region. He "could have been released over a year ago, in July 2025, based on [Criminal Code] Article 73, since he has served more than half his prison term," those familiar with his case told Forum 18. "But he was not and it may be because the family did not ask the Uzbek authorities for forgiveness." They also explained that another reason for the authorities not to release him early "may be his family in Türkiye" (see below).

Muslim prisoner of conscience Alisher Tursunov, also known by his religious name Mubashshir Ahmad, was transferred in April from Kyzylteppa prison in Navoi Region to the labour camp in Tavaksay village of Tashkent Region. He suffers from Type 2 diabetes and other conditions. "He has served half his prison term and could actually be released early or pardoned by the authorities, but he has not written a letter to the authorities to be pardoned," a Muslim familiar with his case told Forum 18 (see below).

Muslim prisoner of conscience Faryozbek Kobilov was on 15 August released from prison 6 months 15 days before his due release date. Officials of his local Probation Department told him in mid-September that there are "no restrictions on you". The family told Forum 18 that they are "just being cautious because we know that usually those who are released on parole either pay 20 per cent from their income to the state or are under certain restrictions" (see below).

No answers from Interior Ministry's Department of Execution of Punishments

Forum 18 tried to get answers on the conditions of prisoners of conscience jailed for exercising freedom of religion or belief from the Interior Ministry's Department of Execution of Punishments (known from Russian as GUIN) in Tashkent.

The official (he did not give his name), who answered the phone on 16 September at its call centre in Tashkent, took down Forum 18's name and details and the questions relating to the prisoners of conscience. However, he asked Forum 18 to call back the next day. Reached again on 21 September, the call centre referred it to the reception of Azizkhon Umarkhanov, the Head of the Department.

However, the official (who did not give his name), who answered the phone at the reception of Umarkhanov on 21 September, brushed off Forum 18. Asked why Sultonov was tortured in prison, he responded: "No one will answer your questions over the phone." He did not answer other questions on other prisoners. "You can only write a letter to the Interior Ministry, and they will decide whether or not to answer you."

On 28 January, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev appointed Umarkhonov, former Hokim (Head) of Tashkent City's Almazar District Administration, as the new Chief of the Department, the President's spokesperson announced the same day.

The authorities opened a criminal case against the former Head of the Department, Rustam Tursunov, the media noted on 26 January. President Mirziyoyev dismissed him from his position in November 2025. The details of the case were not published.

Akparov: Judge pressures to admit guilt, make statements against community members

On 25 August, Judge Aziz Lazizov of Samarkand District Court began hearing the criminal case brought against Sunnatillo Ikram ugli Akparov (born 20 February 2004), a local Shia Muslim, according to court records.

Akparov is on trial under Criminal Code Article 244-1, Part 3, Point 4 ("Production, storage, distribution or display of materials containing a threat to public security and public order with use of the mass media or telecommunication networks as well as the internet" when carried out by a group). He faces a jail term of 5 to 8 years if convicted.

Police in the south-eastern city of Samarkand arrested Akparov on 23 June for content on a Shia Telegram channel he had run. Senior Lieutenant Shokhrukh Asliddinov, an Investigator of Samarkand Police, brought the criminal case against Akparov for online distribution of "materials containing a threat to public security and public order".

At the request of police, the government's Religious Affairs Committee in Tashkent produced – within a day - an "expert analysis" of marthiyas (Shia musical lamentations) distributed on the Telegram channel. The "experts" found that the "information distributed by Akparov to the members of the group via Telegram encouraged the activity and teachings of various [unspecified] ideological movements".

Generally accepted in the Shia Muslim understanding of marthiyas is that they evoke the battle of Karbala in October 680. They aim to portray the courage and determination of the followers of Imam Husayn, who according to Shias was martyred for his faith.

Reached on 13 August, Investigator Asliddinov at first denied he had investigated the criminal case against Akparov. When Forum 18 told him that it has seen a copy of his decision to open the criminal investigation and asked why the Police in Samarkand has been carrying out massive raids and arrested members of the local Shia community, he responded: "I do not know you. You should talk to the Interior Ministry and not me." He then put the phone down.

During the 25 August trial hearing, Judge Lazizov tried to pressure Akparov to admit guilt. "The Judge insisted that Akparov admit that he had two songs on his phone that were 'Wahhabi' extremist material," an individual familiar with the case told Forum 18 from Samarkand. "Sunnatillo told the Court that there may have been some materials on his phone, the meaning of which he did not understand from Arabic."

Judge Lazizov also pressured Akparov to make statements against Sukhrob Komil ugli and Shakhrizod Isroilov, fellow Shia Muslims from Samarkand who fled Uzbekistan fearing imprisonment. The Judge asked Akparov what his relationship with the two men is and why he received "extremist" religious marthiyas from Komil ugli and Isroilov.

The second hearing was scheduled for 11 September but did not take place, according to court records. The next hearing is scheduled for 25 September.

Judge Lazizov could not answer Forum 18's question on 17 September what exactly constituted "extremism" in the actions of Akparov as well as why the Court pressured Akparov to make statements against Komil ugli and Isroilov. At first he adamantly denied that he is trying the case. "I do not have any such a case in consideration," he claimed to Forum 18. Told that Forum 18 has seen the court case listings, Judge Lazizov responded: "Let me see, actually yes, on 25 September I will hear the case."

Forum 18 repeated the question why Akparov is on criminal trial simply for receiving and listening to Shia religious songs on his phone. Judge Lazizov equally adamantly objected that Akparov "listened to extremist songs. The punishment for this is imprisonment." Asked why listening to an "extremist" song is equal to a serious crime and deserves imprisonment, the Judge did not answer.

Judge Lazizov then asked his Assistant Maruf Ergashev to talk to Forum 18. Ergashev told Forum 18 that the Court is "not competent to give any information to third parties over the phone. Please, send your written questions through the Foreign Ministry."

Akparov's current address in Investigation Prison:

140800 Samarqand viloyati
Kattaqorgon shahri
Davlatobod kochasi 123
7-sonli viloyat tergov hibsxonasi joylashgan joy

Komil ugli and Isroilov: Police again raided parents' homes

Police again raided the Samarkand homes of the parents of Shia Muslims Sukhrob Komil ugli and Shakhrizod Isroilov on 30 August.

"A copy of the Koran published and officially stamped in Uzbekistan was confiscated from the home of Isroilov's parents," Shia Muslims familiar with the situation told Forum 18.

"Since summer 2021," Isroilov complained to Forum 18 in August, "the State Security Service (SSS) secret police and Interior Ministry led by Samarkand City Police have made between fifteen and twenty searches in my parents' home in Samarkand City without any warrants".

Both Isroilov and Komil ugli fled Uzbekistan for fear of punishment by the authorities. The SSS secret police arrested Isroilov in 2021. A court handed him a 15-day jail term. He says he was tortured while in custody. Officials threatened that next time he would be handed a long jail term and that only his body would leave prison, he told Forum 18. He then fled Uzbekistan.

Samarkand Regional Police added Isroilov (given as Shakhrizod Jurakulovich Israilov, born 28 June 1985) to its wanted list. It claimed he had been wanted on charges of extortion since 2018. Isroilov insisted to Forum 18 that these charges were brought only in 2021 after he had fled Uzbekistan. Russia placed Isroilov on its Federal Wanted List at Uzbekistan's request.

Sultonov: Tortured by prison officials, put in isolation cell

Muslim prisoner of conscience Alimardon Islamovich Sultonov (born 26 October 1983) was tortured in prison in Navoi and put in an isolation cell in early July, his mother Rakhima Masharipova complained to Forum 18 on 4 September. She learned about this when she visited him in prison in late July, she added.

On 27 May 2022, a court in Karakalpakstan jailed trauma surgeon Sultonov, a devout Muslim known for discussing Muslim freedom of religion and belief issues, for seven years in a labour camp "for criticising President Mirziyoyev, state-appointed imams .." The regime used both torture and two regime-appointed "parliamentarians" to try to get him to admit "guilt". Prison administrations have placed him in punishment cells multiple times.

"Alimardon told me that he fainted when working in an open field, where he along with others was taken by the prison guards," Sultonov's mother recounted from their July 2026 conversation. "It was a scorching hot day, which felt like 60 degrees [Celsius]. He fainted and lost consciousness for maybe ten minutes."

Uzhydromet, the state weather service, noted that several regions of Uzbekistan recorded new July temperature records during an extreme mid-July heatwave. In July, temperatures reached 43–45 degrees Celsius across much of the country and 46–49 degrees Celsius in the southern regions and desert areas.

Prison guards also continued torturing Sultonov later the same day when he regained consciousness. "They also beat him up. They woke him up and kicked him and gave blows to him on his body." When Sultonov complained against the guards to the prison administration, it incarcerated him in an isolation cell for 15 days.

"I do not even know the name or phone number of the new Governor of the prison," Masharipova complained to Forum 18. "The former Governor Ravshan Shernazarov was dismissed in April because of criminal charges against him and the new Governor forbade all his subordinates to give his name, phone number or other details to anyone."

Company records list the Governor as Lazizbek Mamatnazarov.

The duty officer at Navoi Prison No. 4 refused to take any questions or put Forum 18 through to any responsible officials, including Governor Mamatnazarov. "We were instructed that now we cannot answer any questions," he told Forum 18 on 18 September, "and that you must call GUIN's call centre in Tashkent regarding any issues in prisons." He added that this instruction is applicable to all prisons across Uzbekistan. He then put the phone down.

Sultonov's prison address:

Navoi shakhar
Navoi kuchasi 5
4 sonli Jazoni Ijro Etish Koloniyasi
Sultonov Alimardon Islamovich

Mirganiyev: "Prison authorities pressuring him to work two shifts"

Muslim prisoner of conscience Alijon Makhmudovich Mirganiyev (born 17 September 1970) is serving his prison term in Prison No. 43 in Tashkent Region's Boka District, sources from Uzbekistan – who asked not to be identified for fear of state reprisals - told Forum 18 on 8 September 2026. The prison authorities transferred him there on 11 October 2024.

Until the end of August 2026, Mirganiyev worked and stayed in the shop making windows and doors, people familiar with his situation told Forum 18. "Now he is staying in the labour camp premises and has no work. The prison authorities are pressuring him to work two shifts, including the night shift, which he refuses. He knows from his previous experience that working night shifts elevates his blood pressure."

The regime jailed Mirganiyev, a Muslim from Zangiota District in Tashkent Region, in 2006. The family think he was targeted as his wife Khanifa Mirganiyeva was teaching female family members to read the Koran, Mirganiyev was praying and discussing Islam with other men, and their children were being raised as Muslims.

Mirganiyev was released from prison in June 2011 at the end of his sentence. In 2013, the family moved to Türkiye, as in Uzbekistan "to follow our faith could be risky for us, and we were also not sure of the future of our family in Uzbekistan".

In February 2014, Yangiyul District Police "Struggle with Extremism and Terrorism Department" opened a criminal case against Mirganiyev. Uzbekistan tried to have him extradited from Türkiye. He eventually decided to put an end to problems with Uzbekistan, and "returned believing the promises of the authorities that he will not be arrested". Officials arrested him on 11 June 2022 at Tashkent's International Airport on arrival from Türkiye.

On 18 October 2022, Tashkent Region's Zangiota District Criminal Court found Mirganiyev guilty of illegally leaving the country, and the same charge he was jailed in 2006 under - Criminal Code Article 244-2 ("Creation, leadership or participation in religious extremist, separatist, fundamentalist or other banned organisations"). The court handed him a seven year prison term. In March 2023 the appeal court reduced his sentence by six months to a six and a half year jail term.

In April 2023, the prison authorities took Mirganiyev to serve his sentence at Zarafshon strict regime prison No. 12. He was transferred to a less restrictive prison in October 2024 for "exemplary behaviour" in the strict regime prison, sources told Forum 18.

Forum 18 could not find out what conditions at Prison No. 43 are at the moment. In spring 2022, the state-sponsored Ombudsperson's Office "criticised the serious violations in the prison", Gazeta.uz, a state-sponsored news outlet reported on 18 April 2022.

Rustam Kamalov, the Ombudsperson's Tashkent Region representative, told the media on 11 April 2022 that when he visited the prison earlier that month, he found that "out of the 656 convicted persons only 250 stayed in the labour camp, the other 456 lived and worked in the premises of workshops for clothes manufacturing, wood carving, and production of plastic windows and doors".

Kamalov said that in the territory of the workshops, "only one building was allocated for sleeping and the beds are too tightly close to each other. The room used as the canteen does not meet sanitary and hygienic requirements."

Kamalov also complained to the media that during their monitoring of the labour camp itself they identified that an inmate was giving out medicines to sick prisoners instead of medical personnel. The "prison governor was recommended to hire medical personnel".

Mirganiyev's health is "normal", those familiar with his situation told Forum 18. They added: "He does not complain about his conditions, but hopes that he can be released early."

Mirganiyev "could have been released over a year ago, in July 2025, based on [Criminal Code] Article 73, since he has served more than half his prison term," they added. "But he was not and it may be because the family did not ask the Uzbek authorities for forgiveness." They also explained that another reason for the authorities not to release him early "may be his family in Türkiye".

Forum 18 could not reach the prison.

Mirganiyev's current prison address:

Toshkent viloyati
Boka tumani, Boston qishlogi,
Boston mahallasi, Iftixor kochasi
43-sonli jazoni ijro etish koloniyasi

Mirganiyev: Family under close state control in Türkiye

Mukhammad-Amin Alijon ugli Makhmudov (born 31 July 1995), son of the jailed Alijon Mirganiyev (see above), is wanted by the Uzbek authorities in the same case. Police in Türkiye released him from custody on 28 May 2026, sources from Uzbekistan told Forum 18. However, Makhmudov has to wear an electronic ankle bracelet and is under constant surveillance of the Turkish authorities.

Police in Türkiye kept Mahkmudov's mother and Alijon Mirganiyev's wife, Khanifa Yakubovna Mirganiyeva (born 20 October 1974), in custody for 49 days between 30 December 2023 and 19 February 2024. Mirganiyeva is also wanted by the Uzbek authorities after her husband Mirganiyev was jailed after he returned to Uzbekistan from Türkiye in 2022.

Russia added both Makhmudov and Mirganiyeva to its Federal Wanted List at Uzbekistan's request.

The Turkish authorities "keep the family under constant pressure and asked both the mother and the son to go to the Uzbekistan consulate to ask for forgiveness from the Uzbek authorities", those familiar with their situation told Forum 18. "The family refused to go since they were afraid Uzbek officials would arrest them."

Tursunov: Transferred to another prison, health concerns

Alisher Ahmadovich Tursunov (born 1 January 1974), a prisoner of conscience also known by his religious name Mubashshir Ahmad, was transferred in April from Kyzylteppa prison in Navoi Region to the labour camp in Tavaksay village of Tashkent Region, a Muslim from Tashkent Region, who asked not to be identified for fear of state reprisals, told Forum 18 on 3 September.

Tursunov is a former employee of the state-controlled Muslim Board, then head of Azon.uz religious news website. He was wanted since August 2023 under Criminal Code Article 244-3 ("Illegal production, storage, import or distribution of religious literature"). He was in exile in Türkiye, but the Turkish authorities arrested him in May 2025 at Uzbekistan's request and deported him to Uzbekistan.

A Tashkent court jailed Tursunov on 8 October 2025 for 2 years and 6 months. Tursunov chose not to appeal and was taken to Kyzylteppa prison in November 2025 to begin serving his sentence.

Tursunov's lawyer Abdullokh Sodiq told news outlet Kun.uz on 7 January 2026 that his client was suffering from Type 2 diabetes and other conditions. He complained that the conditions were not being properly treated in Kyzylteppa prison.

Tursunov's family do "not want to talk about his problems in prison or discuss his health conditions with the wider public", the Muslim told Forum 18. "He has served half his prison term and could actually be released early or pardoned by the authorities, but he has not written a letter to the authorities to be pardoned."

Forum 18 could not reach the prison.

Tursunov's current prison address:

Tashkent viloyati
Bostanlik tumani
Tavaksay qishloqi
7-sonli Jinoyati Ijro Etish Koloniyasi

Kobilov: Early release on parole

Muslim prisoner of conscience Faryozbek Vosiljon ugli Kobilov (born 21 November 1997) was on 15 August released from prison 6 months 15 days before his due release date.

Kobilov was a student at Andijan State University at the time of his March 2022 arrest. In July 2022, Markhamat District Criminal Court of Andijan Region sentenced him to a seven-year jail term for attending one shared meal with five other Muslims where religious themes were discussed. His sentence was reduced to five years' imprisonment on appeal.

In August 2024, the administration of Akhangaron's Labour Camp No. 48 put prisoner of conscience Kobilov in the punishment cell for several days in an apparent move to prevent him being eligible for early conditional release or to make it easier to transfer him back to a harsher-regime prison. In August 2025, the prison authorities transferred him to strict regime Prison No. 5 in Kyzylteppa District of Navoi Region. The prison authorities there did not allow Kobilov to read the Koran.

Kobilov's family told Forum 18 on 18 September 2026 that his term was counted from 29 March 2022 and he was due to be released in March 2027. The prison authorities decided to release him early, his family added, based on Criminal Code Article 73, Point b. This allows for parole – conditional early release from prison – "after serving no less than two-thirds of the term of punishment given by a court for a grave as well as pre-meditated crime".

Kobilov visited the local Probation Department in mid-September. Officials told him that there are "no restrictions on you", the family told Forum 18. When he asked for a copy of the Court decision, they told him that they do not have it. "We are waiting for it. If you would like to get a copy then you can ask the prison."

The family told Forum 18 that they are "just being cautious because we know that usually those who are released on parole either pay 20 per cent from their income to the state or are under certain restrictions. We would like to get a copy of the court decision." (END)

More reports on freedom of thought, conscience and belief in Uzbekistan

For background information, see Forum 18's Uzbekistan religious freedom survey

Forum 18's compilation of Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) freedom of religion or belief commitments

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