10.12.2024 (updated version, the first version was published on August 12, 2024)

It has been two years since the events of July 1 and 2, 2022 in Karakalpakstan, a sovereign state within Uzbekistan. ‘Kanly Saratan’ (Bloody July) was a turning point in the post-Soviet history of the country. The Karakalpak people's defense of their republic's sovereignty was brutally suppressed by security forces in Uzbekistan. This was followed by a wave of reprisals: criminal and administrative cases, arbitrary detentions, torture, threats, and extradition requests.

We present here a list of political prisoners in Karakalpakstan, prepared and reviewed by an international expert group. The group includes prominent human rights activists from different countries: Annadurdy Hadjiev (Bulgaria), Krassimir Kanev (Bulgaria), Galym Ageleuov (Kazakhstan), Yevgeniy Zhovtis (Kazakhstan), Ivar Dale (Norway) and Vitaly Ponomarev (Russia).

A preliminary version of the list, compiled in collaboration with the Memorial Human Rights Defense Center and Karakalpak activists, was published on December 10, 2023. Since then, additional court decisions have become available and new names have been added to the list.

The Karakalpakstan political prisoners list released today includes case details of 49 civic and religious activists, participants in the July 2022 street protests, and several others who have been serving prison sentences in Uzbekistan as of June 30, 2024. All of them have been unlawfully imprisoned for exercising (attempting to exercise) the rights guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), including the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, and freedom of conscience.

Uzbekistan acceded to the Covenant in 1995. Article 15 of the Republic of Uzbekistan’s Constitution declares that international law is an integral part of Uzbekistan's legal system and that international treaties to which Uzbekistan is a party take precedence over domestic legislation. Article 19 of the Constitution guarantees human rights and freedoms under the generally recognized rules of international law.

The preamble of the Republic of Karakalpakstan’s Constitution also gives priority to universally recognized norms of international law.

Sadly, all these constitutional wordings remain little more than political declarations, serving as a smokescreen for widespread political persecution.

In determining whether specific individuals could be recognized as political prisoners (PPs), we were guided by the criteria set out in the Guidelines for the Definition of Political Prisoner. These Guidelines, drawing on international experience, were developed by a group of human rights advocates from several Eastern European countries.

This list of political prisoners is not exhaustive. Additional cases are still under consideration by the expert group, while others can only be considered and evaluated once we have obtained further information.

The list does not include political prisoners from Uzbekistan serving sentences in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, if the offences with which they were charged are unrelated to Karakalpakstan.

The index of articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan referred to below can be found at the end of the text.

Before publication of this list, unofficial sources reported the death in custody at the end of July of one of the defendants convicted in the ‘case of 16’ (details below). The expert group is still trying to verify this information.

You may refer any questions about the List of Political Prisoners of Karakalpakstan to Annandurdy Khadjiev (Turkmenistan Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Bulgaria) at tkmprotect@gmail.com or Galym Ageleuov (Liberty Public Foundation, Kazakhstan) at galym44@gmail.com

Criminal cases of “1-2 July 2022 mass riots”

In 2022 and 2023, courts in the Republic of Karakalpakstan heard four criminal cases relating to the street unrest on July 1 and 2, 2022, brought against 64 people (including two cases against three defendants in absentia). At present, 30 of the 64 are serving prison sentences in Uzbekistan, 28 others are subject to ‘restriction of liberty’, including being banned from travelling outside their place of residence, leaving their house at night, and using the internet., and a requirement to regularly check in at the police station, etc. Two other individuals have been given suspended sentences.

All those convicted were charged with organizing or participating in mass riots. Some were additionally charged with conspiracy, dissemination of materials threatening public security, and other offences.

Niyetbay Urazbayev, who was convicted in absentia, died in January 2024 in Kazakhstan, while two other Karakalpak activists, who were also convicted in absentia (Amanbay Sagidullayev and Tleubike Yuldasheva), are on an international wanted list. Sagidullayev is currently residing in Norway, where he obtained citizenship several years ago. Yuldasheva is in Kazakhstan awaiting resettlement as a refugee in a third country. (Editor’s note: In October 2024 Yuldasheva received asylum in the United States)

The criminal investigations into more than 100 other people in Karakalpakstan have been suspended.

Notwithstanding the authorities’ efforts, the aforementioned trials did not in fact confirm the [government’s] version of a ‘separatist conspiracy.’ The protesters were not calling for a violent overthrow of the constitutional order, of which they had been accused, but rather the preservation of the status quo, as enshrined in the Constitutions of Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan regarding the Republic of Karakalpakstan’s sovereignty. Law enforcement agencies often failed to distinguish between participation in an unauthorized rally and mass riots. The expert assessments of some information material (video recordings of protests in support of Karakalpakstan’s sovereignty, etc.) as illegal are not convincing. Many defendants pleaded ‘guilty’ in the hope of being released, but their additional testimony in court indicated that they had been erroneously criminally charged. There are also reports of widespread use of torture.

Case of 22 participants in the 2022 unrest

The trial took place in Bukhara (Uzbekistan) starting on November 28, 2022. On January 31, 2023, the Court of the Republic of Karakalpakstan (the highest judicial body of the Republic of Karakalpakstan) sentenced 16 people to various terms of imprisonment and 4 people to ‘restriction of liberty.’ Two people were given suspended sentences. On February 4, 2023, Polat Shamshetov, a defendant who was sentenced to 6 years in prison, died in the Bukhara pre-trial detention center under unclear circumstances. On June 5, 2023, the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan amended the verdict on appeal: of the 15 people handed custodial sentences, 8 were released under ‘restriction of liberty’ sentences, while the terms of imprisonment of 6 others were reduced (except for protest leader Dauletmurat Tajimuratov). Proceedings before the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan to consider Tajimuratov's appeal, which started on April 22, 2024, were terminated on the same day as the defendant withdrew his appeal. On July 23, 2024, the court of cassation left Tajimuratov’s verdict unchanged.

Seven of the defendants in this case are currently being held in prisons in Uzbekistan.

1. Adilbekov, Amirbek Kozhabek uly, b. 16.07.1993, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, head of the republican branch of “SQB Insurance” company; he was detained on 28.07.2022, convicted under Art. 244, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (CCU), sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonmekj in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 5 years.

2. Bekmuratov, Razbek Orynbay uly, b. 25.03.1992, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, lecturer at the Department of Physical Education at the Karakalpakstan State University named for Berdak, a medalist of the Asian Taekwondo Championship (2019); he was detained on 13.07.2022, convicted under Arts. 244, Part 3, and 247, Part 3, para. “а” of the CCU, and sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 6 years.

3. Dzhiemuratov, Dauletmurat Atamuratovich, b. 15.03.1984, lived in Karauzyak town of the Karauzyak district, ethnic Karakalpak, a businessman; he was detained on 06.08.2022, convicted under Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, and sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 6 years.

4. Kaipov, Sultanbek Uzakbergenovich, b. 10.03.1992, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak; he was detained on 14.07.2022, convicted under Arts. 244, Part 3, and 244-1, Part 3, para. “а” of the CCU, and sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 5 years.

5. Naiypov, Nurlan Abdullaevich, b. 05.02.1968, lived in Aday village of the Nukus District, ethnic Kazakh, retired (formerly a traffic police officer), won a bronze medal at the Asian and Pacific Taekwondo Championship (1993); detained on 15.07.2022, convicted under Arts. 244, Part 3, and 244-1, Part 3, paras. “a”, “d” of the CCU, and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 4 years.

6. Tajimuratov, Dauletmurat Myrzamuratovich, b. 27.03.1979, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, former editor-in-chief of the El khyzmetinde newspaper and an attorney in the El khyzmetinde law firm, has prior convictions (was convicted by the Nukus Municipal Court on 25.12.2003 under Art. 168, Part 3, para. “a” of the CCU and sentenced to 3 years of correctional labor; on 20.09.2004 under Arts. 168, Part 2, paras. “a” and “b”, and 228, Part 3 of the CCU and sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment; on 01.04.2009 under Art. 210, Part 2, para. “c” of the CCU and sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment and to 3 years’ “suspension of certain rights”; on 12.06.2012 under Art. 168, Part 2, s. “a” and “b” of the CCU and sentenced to 3.5 years of correctional labor and a fine of 5720 thousand sums; on 09.12.2016 under Art. 168, Part 2, para. “b” of the CCU and sentenced to 2 years’ correctional labor and 2 years’ “suspension of certain rights,” on 17.03.2017 released on parole; detained on 04.07.2022, convicted under Arts. 159, Part 4; 244, Part 3; 244-1, Part 3, paras. “a”, “b” and “d”; 167, Part 3, para. “a” and 243 of the CCU and sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment (2 years in prison and the rest in a strict security colony).

7. Tokymbetov, Allabay Kurbanbaevich, b. 14.12.1973, lived in Khodjeyli District, ethnic Karakalpak, was detained on 12.07.2022, convicted under Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, and sentenced to 8.5 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 5.5 years.

Note: The detention dates are cited according to the relevant verdicts, while for Tajimuratov and Naiypov the dates were revised in accordance with their testimonies in court.

Sources: verdict, appeal ruling

Case of 39 participants in the 2022 unrest

The trial took place in Bukhara (Uzbekistan) starting February 6, 2023. On March 17, 2023, the Court of the Republic of Karakalpakstan sentenced 28 people to various terms of imprisonment and 11 people to ‘restriction of liberty.’ On June 12, 2023, the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan amended the verdict: of the 28 persons serving custodial sentences, 5 had their sentences commuted to ‘restriction of liberty’ and 16 had their terms of imprisonment reduced.

Twenty-three people from this group are currently serving sentences in Uzbekistan prisons:

8. Allanazarov, Azamat Muratbaevich, b. 25.03.1997, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, a municipal bus driver (Route 47), was detained on 12.07.2022, convicted under Arts. 244, Part 3, and 247, Part 3, para. “a” of the CCU, and sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 6 years.

9. Ashirbekov, Sharapat Turdymuratovich, b. 03.03.1979, lived in Khodjeyli District, ethnic Karakalpak, administrator of the “Tajimuratov Dauletmurat” YouTube channel, was detained on 15.07.2022, convicted under Arts. 244, Part 3, and 244-1, Part 3, paras. “a” and “d” of the CCU, and sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony.

10. Baimbetov, Ruslan Kuralbaevich, b. 06.08.1988, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, a driver for the “Daulet Trans” Company, has a previous conviction (was convicted on 09.02.2018 by the Nukus Municipal Court under Art. 266, Part 1 of the CCU, and sentenced to 3 years’ correctional labor suspended with a probation period of 2 years. He was released on parole on 11.07.2019), detained on 14.07.2022, convicted under Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 6 years.

11. Baylepesov, Nursultan Shaykibaevich, b. 16.03.1993, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, was detained on 26.07.2022, convicted under Arts. 244, Part 3, and 28-247, Part 3, para. “a” of the CCU, and sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 5 years.

12. Bauetdinov, Nusret Khojalievich, b. 15.02.1970, lived in Kanlykol District, ethnic Karakalpak, was detained on 21.07.2022, convicted under Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, and sentenced to 7.5 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 5.5 years.

13. Bakhiev, Kuanyshbay Zhangabaevich, b. 10.10.1988, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, a driver for the “Imkan Nukus Asad” company, was detained on 14.07.2022, convicted under Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment in a general security colony. The appellate courtreduced his prison term to 6 years.

14. Begaliev, Kuanyshbay Zhaksybaevich, b. 17.08.1989, lived in Nukus,ethnic Karakalpak, a driver for the “Trans yil kyrilish” company,was detained on 19.07.2022, convictedunder Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony.

15. Bekpolatov, Kongratbay Yusipbaevich, b. 08.02.1985, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, a driver for the “Berdi-Trans” company, was detained on 13.07.2022, convicted under Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 6 years.

16. Dosnazarov, Oralbay Begniyazovich, b. 24.06.1977, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, a lawyer at the “Nyzam ustinligi” law bar, has a previous conviction (was convicted on 18.07.2011 by the Nukus Municipal Court under Arts. 205, Part 2, para. “c”, and 207, Part 1 of the CCU, and sentenced to one year “suspension of certain rights” and a fine of 14,920,500 sums, then on 17.08.2018, on appeal, he was found not guilty by the Court of the Republic of Karakalpakstan (cassation instance) for lack of elements of crime in his acts), was detained on 15.07.2022, convicted under Arts. 244, Part 3, and 244-1, Part 3, para. “a” and “d” of the CCU, and sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony.

17. Dosymbetov, Rustam Urazbaevich, b. 24.09.1985, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, was detained on 07.07.2022, convicted under Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, and sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 6 years.

18. Duysenbayev, Nursultan Elnur uly, b. 17.09.1998, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, was detained on 12.07.2022, convicted under Arts. 244, Part 3, and 28-247, Part 3, para. “a” of the CCU, and sentenced to 7.5 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 5 years.

19. Yesemuratov, Aydos Tursynbay uly, b. 1993, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, was detained on 05.08.2022, convicted under Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 5 years.

20. Eshzhanov, Kamal Zhenisbay uly, b. 22.12.1999, lived in Kanlykol District, ethnic Karakalpak, was detained on 20.07.2022, convicted under Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 5 years.

21. Zhumabekov, Alpamys Biysenbaevich, b. 13.05.1994, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, an employee of the “No’kis vinozavodi” company, was detained on 26.07.2022, convicted under Arts. 244, Part 3, and 28-247, Part 3, para. “a” of the CCU, and sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 5 years.

22. Kurbanov, Omirbek Kabylbergenovich, b. 06.05.1986, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, has a previous conviction (a criminal case under Art. 109, Part 1 of the CCU dismissed on 29.09.2015 by the Nukus Municipal Court following reconciliation of the parties), a civil activist, in 2017 was one of the founders of the Human Rights Alliance of Karakalpakstan, was detained on 19.07.2022, convicted under Arts. 244, Part 3, and 244-1, Part 3, paras. “a” and “d” of the CCU, and sentenced to 10.5 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony.

23. Nadirbayev, Dauletkeldi Nadirbaevich, b. 29.01.1988, lived in Takhtakopir District, ethnic Karakalpak, a lawyerat the district branch of “Khalyk Bank”,has a previous conviction (was convicted on 29.01.2020 by the Takhtakopir District Court under Art. 277, Part 2, paras. “a” and “b” of the CCU, and sentenced to one year of restricted freedom, on 27.10.2020 released from serving the sentence on parole), was detained on 14.07.2022, convicted under Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 5 years.

24. Omirzakov, Asylbek Onerbayevich, b. 07.04.1991, lived in Kegeyli District, ethnic Kazakh, was detained on 19.07.2022, convicted under Arts. 244, Part 3, and 166, Part 2, paras. “a” and “c” of the CCU, and sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 7 years.

25. Pirzhanov, Zairbek Zhetpisbaevich, b. 19.04.1986, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, a driver of the Presidential School, was detainedon 07.07.2022, convicted under Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 6 years.

26. Ramanov, Dauranbek Makhmutovich, b. 21.12.1996, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, assistant to Dauletmurat Tajimuratov, was detained on 10.07.2022, convicted under Arts. 244, Part 3, and 244- 1, Part.3, paras. “a” and “d” of the CCU, and sentenced to 9 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony.

27. Rakhmanov, Manas Khalmet uly, b. 29.04.1993, lived in Nukus, ethnic Uzbek, a sales agent for the Nukus branch of the “Zarkand” Confectionary, was detained on 22.07.2022, convicted under Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony.

28. Sariev, Adilbek Boranbaevich, b. 17.11.1985, lived in Nukus District, ethnic Karakalpak, has a previous conviction (was convicted on 11.04.2012 by the Khodzheyli District Court under Art. 171, Part 2, para. “a” of the CCU, was released from serving the sentence under amnesty decree of 05.12.2011; was convictedon 06.03.2017 by the Nukus District Court under Art. 277, Part 2, para. “a” of the CCU; sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment suspended with probation period for one year), detained on 21.07.2022, convictedunder Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 6 years.

29. Tadjimuratov, Zamirbek Talasbaevich, b. 25.10.1988, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, has a previous conviction (a criminal case under Art. 105, Part 1 of the CCU dismissed on 06.03.2012 by the Nukus Municipal Court due to the reconciliation of the parties; was convicted on 06.02.2015 by the Nukus Municipal Court under Art. 277, Part 1 of the CCU, released from serving the remainder of his sentence under amnesty on 14.11.2014), was detained on 12.07.2022, convicted under Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, and sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. The appellate court reduced his prison term to 7 years.

30. Khabipov, Nuratdiyin Keunimzhaevich, b. 23.11.1992, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, an employee of the NukusCity security department of the NationalGuards Directorate for the Republic of Karakalpakstan, was detained on 10.07.2022, convicted under Art. 244, Part 3 of the CCU, and sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony.

Note: The copy of the judgment available to the expert group has a page missing that contains the personal details of Ashirbekov and Yesemuratov. The dates of their detention are cited in the verdict (in his testimony at trial, Dosnazarov mentioned he was detained on 4.07.2022 under the pretext of an administrative misdemeanor. It is plausible that Kurbanov could have been detained under a similar pretext, as informal sources reported his detention on 3.07.2022); the year of Yesemuratov’s birth is taken from mass media reports; the information about the appellate court’s decision is taken from a Gazeta.uz publication.

Sources: verdict, mass media reports.

Criminal cases concerning “encroachment on the constitutional order,” “dissemination of information threatening public safety,” “participation in prohibited organizations,” “insulting the president,” etc.

In addition to July 2022 “mass riot” criminal cases, from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024, courts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan considered 52 criminal cases against 72 individuals charged under “political” articles of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (Articles 158 part 3, 159, 244-1, 244-2, etc.). One other such case that went to court in the first instance has not concluded.

More than 80% of the “political” sentences handed down by courts fall in the period after the July 2022 events, reflecting the sharp increase in scale of political persecution in Karakalpakstan.

According to preliminary estimates, at least 20 people were convicted in cases of “separatism;” at least 5 for insulting the President of Uzbekistan; at least 46 for disseminating banned Islamic materials and participating in banned Islamic organizations. In one case, we do not have information about the substance of the charges (other than a reference to the articles of the Criminal Code brought against the defendant).

Out of the 72 individuals who were convicted, at least 22 are currently in detention, at least 23 others are serving sentences of ‘restriction of liberty’ for up to several years, which includes a banon leaving their place of residence, being outside at night, using the internet, a requirement they must regularly check-in with law enforcement agencies, and so on.

In addition to cases considered by the courts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, in August 2022, one of Tashkent’s district courts issued a verdict in the case of Jumasapar Dadebaev – an ethnic Turkmen activist from Karakalpakstan, who was illegally deported from Türkiye by Turkish special services. While Dadebaev was charged with a number of articlesfrom the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan; in fact, he was convicted on charges of “separatism,” calling for rallies, publicly insulting the president and heads of law enforcement agencies, as well as for possessing “banned religious materials,” allegedly found on a tablet in his parents' home in Karakalpakstan after he travelled abroad in 2016. The harsh sentence– 12 years’ imprisonment – is believed to be due to the timing of his prosecution, overlapping with street unrest that took place in Karakalpakstan during his trial.

In 2023, four Karakalpak activists were convicted in absentia and put on an international wanted list (in addition to three others convicted in absentia for participation in “mass riots”, etc.). Currently, one of the four (Koshkarbay Toremuratov) is in Europe, while the others (Zhangeldi Dzhaksymbetov, Ziuar Mirmanbetova, Raysa Khudaybergenova) are in Kazakhstan awaiting resettlement as refugees to a third country (Editor’s note: In October 2024 they received asylum in the United States).

Between February and April 2024, three more Karakalpak activists (Akylbek Muratov, Rasul Jumaniyazov, and Rinat Utambetov) were detained in Kazakhstan, and extradition requests were received from Uzbekistan in their cases. All have been placed on an international wanted list under “political articles” of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan. According to rulings issued by Kazakhstan courts, the three detainees have been placedin pre-trial detention centers in Almaty and Astana for up to one year. Their criminal cases in Karakalpakstan have not yet been considered in absentia. For more details on these cases, see publications on the website of the Turkmen Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights and AsiaTerra .

As the expert group was compiling this list of political prisoners from Karakalpakstan, the group received information about severalallegedly politically motivated criminal casesconsidered by Karakalpakstan courts before 2020. In the case of most of those convicted individuals, only incomplete data is available, thus preventing their inclusion on the current list of political prisoners. The expert group made only one addition to the list, a prisoner who was convicted for “treason” during[President Islam] Karimov’s time. At present, he remains in prison. In fact, the reason for his persecution was the alleged organization of a meeting of residents who lived in a village on the border, who spoke out in favor of its transfer to Kazakhstan’s jurisdiction.

Thus, in addition to the participants of the 2022 unrest, this list of political prisoners of Karakalpakstan includes the names of 19 otherindividuals in whosecases there is sufficient data to assess them as political prisoners, in accordance with the criteria used above. There is also reliableinformation confirming the whereabouts of these individuals in prisons in Uzbekistan as of June 30, 2024. The collection of information and study of material in the cases of other residents of Karakalpakstan deprived of their liberty on political grounds is ongoing.

It is worth briefly considering an assessment of several of the chargesbrought against political prisoners included in the published list.

One of the common charges is “separatism.” This usually refers to public statements expressing support for the idea of Karakalpakstan's independence, which is usually classified as “calls for the illegal change of the territorial integrity of Uzbekistan” (“encroachment on the constitutional order”) and the distribution (mainly through the internet) of similar materials that are deemed to “threaten public safety.” The expert group considers such charges legally untenable. The status of Karakalpakstan as a sovereign state is enshrined in the Constitutions of both Karakalpakstan and Uzbekistan, which also provide for Karakalpakstan's right to secede from Uzbekistan. In this context,qualifying calls for independence as criminal offensesin the absence of calls for violent actions, etc., is clearly unlawful. In practice, even the dissemination of documentary video footage of the events of July 1 and 2, 2022, and calls for rallies demanding the release of the protest leader Dauletmurat Tajimuratov and other individuals convicted on charges of “mass riots”, etc., are considered by courts and investigative bodies as criminally punishable “separatism”, which, in the opinion of the expert group, constitutes the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

One Karakalpak activist was accused of participating in the “separatist” organization “Alga Karakalpakstan”, which was banned as “extremist” by decision of the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan on February 22, 2024. However, the text of the decision is not officially available, and the existence of the decision itself was not reported prior to the activist’s sentencing in May 2024. There is still no official information about the ban. Moreover, all the episodes charged against the activist in the case of participation in the “banned organization” took place before it was banned, which is a violation of Article 15 of the International Covenanton Civil and Political Rights.

Since Karimov’s time, Uzbekistan legislation has provided for criminal liability for the dissemination of materials containing ideas of “fundamentalism” (however, the term “fundamentalism” is not clearly defined in law). In this situation, imprisonment for spreading “fundamentalist” materials unrelated to callsfor violence or discrimination, in our opinion, contradicts the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion guaranteed by Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Article 244-2 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, added in 1999, provides for liabilityfor participation in “religious extremist, separatist, fundamentalist, or other banned organizations.” In Karimov’s time, thousands of believers were convicted under this article for participating in “banned organizations” in the absence of any formal decisions banning any of the respective communities. This practice partially continues today, as can be seen in the case of Utemisov, who was accused (among other things) of participating in a “fundamentalist community” in Almaty in 2008.

In the last years of Karimov's rule, Uzbekistan implemented key elements of Russian anti-extremist legislation, which has been criticized at the international level on numerous occasions (for example, in the conclusion of the Venice Commission in 2012, etc.). As part of this new approach, on September 26, 2016, the Supreme Courtof Uzbekistan issueda decision banning 22 organizations as "terrorist." The list of prohibited organizations was published on the Supreme Court's website (old version), but the text of the decision itself (including its reasoning) is still not publicly available. This list includes both overtly jihadist and nonviolent communities. At the same time, the adopted legal framework does not require proving the "terrorist nature" of the actions by members of such communities in specific criminal cases, which in practice leads to serious violations of civil rights.

In Karakalpakstan, this model was applied in the case against "Hizb ut-Tahrir" cells and "financing of terrorism" in Nukus and Muynak District. The defendants' actions consisted of distributing and studyingthe organization's theoretical literature, as well as collecting funds usedto purchase two cell phones.The evidence base for many accusations was evidently weak, which led to appealsciting the lack of evidenceor incorrect classification of the charges.

It is worth noting that, in many cases, the initiation of criminal proceedings was preceded by the seizure of a mobilephone and the examination of its memoryand social media profiles, often without sufficient legal grounds.

The sources marked with an "*" symbol below indicates that court documents are available only in an anonymized electronic copy posted on the website of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, from which some information has been removed.

Supporters of the Sovereignty of the Republicof Karakalpakstan

31. Aitmuratov Arepbay Nazirbaevich, b. 17.05.19(??), lived in Nukus District, ethnic Karakalpak, detained on 15.12.2022, convicted on 10.05.2023 by the Nukus District Court under Arts. 159, Part 3, para. "a", and Article 244-1, Part 3, para. "d" of the CCU, and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. On 26.06.2023, the appellate court upheld his verdict.

Note: Aitmuratov was accused of disseminating materials containing "ideas of separatism" in November 2022 through the channel "Adillik-2" (77 subscribers) and the group "Adillik-2" (247 members) on Telegram. In court, he stated that he wanted Karakalpakstan to be free, but he was only a participant, not an organizer of this channel and group, and denied distributing prohibited materials.

Sources: sentence*, appellateruling*, website of the SupremeCourt of Uzbekistan.

32. Dadebaev Jumasapar Egenmiratovich, b. 10.10.1986, lived in Istanbul (Türkiye), ethnic Turkmen, civil activist and blogger, on 11.07.2017 the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Karakalpakstan initiated a criminal case under Arts. 159, Part 1 and 244-1, Part 1 of the CCU, he was detained on 10.01.2022 and deported to Uzbekistan on 12.01.2022; upon arrival, he was detained at Tashkent airport, convicted on 10.08.2022 by the Mirzo-Ulugbek District Court of Tashkent under Arts. 155, Part 1; 156, Part 2; 158, Part 3; 159, Part 4; 215; 244, Part 3; 244-1, Part 3, para. "g"; 244-2, Part 1; 139, Part 3, paras. "a" and "g"; and 140, Part 3, para."a" of the CCU, and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. On 27.10.2022, the appellate court upheld his verdict. In March 2024, the Karshi City Court ruled that Dadebaev be transferred [from a penal colony] to a prison for 2.5 years for violating colony rules.

Note: Dadebaev was born in the village of Saraykol, Khodjeyli District(currently part of Takhiatash District). Since 2018, he lived in Istanbul and advocated for the sovereignty movement of Karakalpakstan, declaredhimself as the founder of the "Dostluk" party, representing the Turkmen people of Karakalpakstan. In January 2022, "Memorial" began publishing Dadebaev's resonant memoirs about his attempted recruitment by the National Security Service of Uzbekistan in 2016. In 2017, he was declared wanted after "prohibited religious files" were discovered on a tablet left at his parents' home (Dadebaev himselfdenied having such files). After he was detained in Tashkent, additional charges were brought against Dadebaev related to his online statements supporting Karakalpakstan's independence, calls for a rally in Nukus, and insulting remarks against the President and heads of Uzbekistan’s law enforcement agencies. Court proceedings in his case were conducted behind closed doors.

For an analysis of Dadebaev’s case .

Sources: verdict, appellate ruling, materials from “Memorial” and the Turkmen Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights.

33. Kalenderov BakhadyrKauenderovich, b. 18.05.19(??), lived in Karauzyak District, ethnic Karakalpak, released under his own under recognizance since 24.02.2024, convicted on 07.05.2024 by the Karauzyak District Court under Art. 244-1, Part 3, para. "d" of the CCU, and sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. Taken into custody in the courtroom. On 27.06.2024, the appellate court upheld his verdict.

Note: According to the investigation, he joinedthe virtual group "Karakalpakstan keleshegi" through the “Edige” and “Zorro” profiles on Telegram, leaving there written and audio comments of a separatist nature. The appellate ruling contains contradictory information regarding the dates of his phone’s inspection at the police department (12.12.2023, etc.) and the expert examination. According to the expert opinion, Kalenderov's comments contain ideas of separatism and violate civil harmony. At his appeal, he pled guilty and requested leniency given his family situation.

Source: appellate ruling*,website of the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan.

34. Musapbarov Parahat Shamshit uly, b. 02.08.1978, lived in Khodjeyli District, ethnic Karakalpak, detained on 29.02.2024, convicted on 30.05.2024 by the Khodjeyli District Court under Arts. 158, Part 3; 159, Part 1; 244-1, Part 3, para. "d"; and 244-2, Part 1 of the CCU, and sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony.

Note: According to the investigation, while living in the Mangystau Region of Kazakhstan, Musapbarov supported the ideas of the "Alga Karakalpakstan" organization (banned as "extremist" by a decision of the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan on 22.02.2024), was a member of it, and since June 2022, posted materials and dozens of comments containing ideas of separatism, calls to unify and protest, and insults against the President of Uzbekistan in the virtual groups "Alga Karakalpakstan," "Freedom for Tajimuratov and other detainees from Uzbekistan’s prison," "Adillik," "Adillik-2," and others on Telegram. He added more than 200 people to thesegroups, and in mid-2023, he created the group "Azadlik" (with over 50 participants), through which he disseminated similar materials and maintained contact with Amanbay Sagidullayevand Karlybay Bekmuratov, political emigrants residing in Europe, and on 04.11.2023, he sent a video of Akylbek Muratov, living in Kazakhstan, to the group. On 07.02.2024 (erroneously stated as 2023 in the verdict), he returned to Khodjeyli District, and on 16.02.2024, he was taken to the police department, where the materials from his Telegram account were checked. Duringthe trial, he refused to testify at the preliminary investigation, stating that he only once sent Bekmuratov a video with the poster "Freedom for Dauletmurat Tajimuratov" and that someone else might have used his phone.

Sources: verdict, websiteof the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan.

35. Redzhepov Kungradbay Dauletbaevich, b. 22.01.1967, lived in Khodjeyli District, ethnic Karakalpak, civil activist, detained on 12.08.2022, convicted on 15.12.2022 by the Khodjeyli District Court under Arts. 159, Part 1, and 244-1, Part 3, para. "a" of the CCU, and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. On 03.02.2023, the appellate court upheld the verdict.

Note: He was accused of making a speech in a group videoon 13.10.2020, calling for a rally the next day for Karakalpakstan's independence in front of the building of theJokargy Kenes (Parliament) in Nukus. The video was published on YouTube on the channel of Karakalpak activist Koshkarbay Toremuratov, who lived in Kazakhstan until 2023, after the rally (Toremuratov was declared wanted and later convicted in absentia). Art. 244-1, Part 3, para. "d" of the CCU was dismissed by the court. In 2017, Redzhepov was one of the founders of the Human RightsAlliance of Karakalpakstan. On 08.07.2002, he was sentenced to 15 days’ administrative arrest for participating in an unauthorized rally in Nukus on the evening of July 1.

For analysis of Redzhepov's case.

Sources: verdict, appellateruling*, website of the SupremeCourt of Uzbekistan.

36. Reimov Saadatdin Baltabaevich, b. 18.03.1967, lived in Khodjeyli District, ethnic karakalpak, civil activist, former boxer, detained on 29.08.2022, convicted on 19.12.2022 by the Khodjeyli District Court under Art. 159, Part 1 of the CCU, and sentenced to 4 years in a settlement colony. On 06.02.2023, the appellate court upheld the verdict. On 25.08.2023, the cassation court left the ruling unchanged.

Note: On 24.08.2022, Reimov was sentenced to 15 days’ administrative arrest for "disorderly conduct." The next day, a criminal case was initiated against him for making a statement about an upcoming rally for the release of Karakalpakstan's political prisoners, which was secretly recorded on 23.08.2022 by an instigator acting on police instructions. His family members were also persecuted. In 2017, Reimov was one of the founders of the Karakalpakstan Human Rights Alliance, and he later attempted to register an opposition party "Alga Karakalpakstan." He was detained on 07.07.2002 and sentenced to 15 days’ administrative arrest for attempting to travel to Nukus to participate in a rally on July 1.

For Analysis of Reimov's case.

Sources: verdict, appellateruling, cassation ruling,information from "Alga Karakalpakstan," website of the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan.

Case of "Treason"

37. Aldamzharov Murat, b. approximately 1956-1958, lived in Kungrad District, ethnic Kazakh, head of the local government of Karakalpakia village, arrested in 2015, convicted by the Nukus City Court(?) under Art. 157 of the CCU, and sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. He is currently serving his sentence in a settlement colony in Kungrad District.

Note: As head of the local government, Aldamzharov participated in organizing a meeting where residents of Karakalpakia village expressed their desire to join Kazakhstan, signed and sealed the meeting's resolution. Shortly after the meeting, he was detained. His laptop contained data about the gas pipeline system,which, according to the investigation, was considered a "state secret." His case became known thanks to the Karakalpak activist Koshkarbay Toremuratov, who served his sentence in the same prison with Aldamzharov in 2017-2018.

Sources: interview with Koshkarbay Toremuratov (29.06.2024, etc.)

Case of Hizb ut-Tahrir(case of 16)

38. Bekmuratov, Azat Zhumagambetovich, lived in Moinak District, detained on 23.09.2023, convicted on 05.03.2024 under Arts. 159, Part 3, para. “b” and 244-1, Part 3, para. “d” of the CCU by the Nukus Municipal Court, and sentenced to 9.5 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony.

39. Berdimuratov, Kuandyk Berkinbaevich, lived in Moinak District, under his own recognizance from September(?) 2023, convicted on 05.03.2024 under Arts. 155-3, Part 2, para. “c”; 159, part 3, para. “b” and 244-1, Part 3, para. “d” of the CCU by the Nukus Municipal Court, and sentenced to 11(6?) years’ imprisonment in a penalcolony. He was taken into custody inthe courtroom.

40. Genzhebaev, Muslim Muratbay uly, lived in Moinak District, detained on 30.09.2023, convicted on 05.03.2024 under Arts. 155-3, Part 2, para. “c”; 159, part 3, para. “b”, and 244-2, Part 1 of the CCU by the Nukus Municipal Court, and sentenced to 5.5 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony.

41. Genzhebaev, Rashid Muratbay uly, lived in Moinak District, detained on 25.09.2023, convicted on 05.03.2024 under Arts. 155-3, Part 2, para. “c”; 159, Part 3, para.“b”, and 244-1, Part 3, para. “d” of the CCU by the Nukus Municipal Court, and sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony.

42. Kaipov, Kamil Genzhebaevich, lived in Moinak District, detained on 30.09.2023, convicted on 05.03.2024 under Arts. 155-3, Part 2, para. “c”; 159, Part 3, para. “b”; 244-1, Part 3, para. “d”, and 244-2, Part 1 of the CCU by the Nukus MunicipalCourt, and sentencedto 6 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony.

43. Kaipov, Mazhit Genzhebaevich, lived in Moinak District, detained on 30.09.2023, convicted on 05.03.2024 under Arts. 155-3, Part 2, para. “c”; 159, Part 3, para. “b”; 244-1, Part 3, para. “d”, and 244-2, Part 1 of the CCU by the Nukus MunicipalCourt, and sentencedto 6 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony.

44. Kaipov, Muratbay Genzhebaevich, lived in Moinak District, under recognizance from September(?) 2023, convicted on 05.03.2024 under Arts. 155-3, Part 2, para. “c”; 159, Part 3, para. “b”, and 244-1, Part 3, para. “d” of the CCU by the Nukus Municipal Court, and sentenced to 6(11?) years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. He was taken into custody in the courtroom.

45. Kdyrniyazov, Dauran Daulbaevich, b. 26.07.1993, lived in Moinak District, ethnic Karakalpak, under recognizance from September(?) 2023, convicted on 05.03.2024 under Arts. 159, Part 3, para. “b”; 244-1, Part 3, para. “d”, and 244-2, Part 1 of the CCU by the NukusMunicipal Court, and sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. He was taken into custody in the courtroom.

46. Kosnazarov, Timur Allambergenovich, b. 01.09.1989, lived in Moinak District, ethnic Karakalpak, detained on 30.09.2023, convicted on 05.03.2024 under Arts. 155-3, Part 2, para. “c”; 159, Part 3, para.“b”; 244-1, Part 3, para. “d”, and 244-2, Part 1 of the CCU by the Nukus Municipal Court, and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony.

47. Nurbaev, Aydos Murat uly, lived in Moinak District, detained on 30.09.2023, convicted on 05.03.2024 under Arts. 159, Part 3, para. “b”; 244-1, Part 3, para. “d”, and 244-2, Part 1 of the CCU by the Nukus Municipal Court, and sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment in a penalcolony.

Note: Hizb ut-Tahrir, an international Islamist political organization (party) aiming to establish a world-wide theocratic government, caliphate, was banned by a Republic of Uzbekistan Supreme Court ruling on 26.09.2016. The prosecution holds that a Hizb ut-Tahrir unit was initially created in the Moinak District followed by another in Nukus in August 2023. In March-August 2023, six defendants donated 3050 thousand Uzbekistani sums to the organization, which supported the purchase of two mobile phones. In July 2023, two virtual groups, Agayinler and Nafsiya, were created in Telegram, and eleven out of the twelvemembers faced charges.A search operation conducted by the Republic of

Karakaipakstan Departament of the State Security Service on 13.09.2023 to check residential premises and technical devices, resulted in mobile phones and a laptop being confiscated. According to a forensic expert examination, five mobile phones, the laptop, and two Telegram profiles belonging to Bekmuratov and R. Genzhebaev contained Hizb ut-Tahrir materials. Sixteen people faced charges. Ten of the twelve were given custodial prison sentences, one received a suspended sentence, the terms of conviction for the remaining five is unknown (probably, not related to imprisonment). On 20.06.2024, the appeal court upheld the verdict. The defendants’ names differ slightly from source to source.

Sources: appeal ruling*, cassation ruling*, notice on submission of case to court, website of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Muslims circulating materials with ideas of “religious extremism”

48. Saliev, Khalmurad Tazhibaevich, lived in Ellikkala District, detained on 07.12.2022, convicted on 07.03.2023 by the Ellikkala District Court under Arts. 159, Part 1; 244-1, Part 3, para. “d”, and 246, Part 1 of the CCU, and sentenced to 5.5 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. On 04.06.2023, the appeal court removed Art. 246, Part 1 of the CCU and reduced Saliev’s prison term to 5 years and 1 month.

Note: Saliev worked in Moscow. On 27.09.2022, he returned home via Kazakhstan. On 30.09.2022, in a joint operation of the Republic of Karakalpakstan’s Department of the State Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairsat his residence, a file named Террорист ва Кахрамон узини узи портлатса буладими (“Can a terrorist and a hero blow themselves up”) and a Benomozlik lecture by Rafik Kamolov, both downloaded in Russia, were found in his phone. The same files and a video titled Дунё уламолари ичида ўзбекнинг фахри (“Uzbek pride among world scientists”) featuring a speech at a conference in Ankara on establishing a world-wide caliphate, were found in his Odnoklassniki social profile (352 friends). According to a forensic expert examination, the video files were found to contain ideas of fundamentalism and are banned in Uzbekistan. Art. 244-1, Part 1 of the CCU was removed by court.

Sources: appeal ruling*, website of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

49. Utemisov, Adilbay Mirzabaevich, b. 05.08.1970, lived in Nukus, ethnic Karakalpak, has a previous conviction (criminal case under Art. 125, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Uzbek SSR closed on 28.04.1992; sentenced on 24.04.1994 by the Nukus Municipal Court under Art. 204, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Uzbek SSR to 2 years’ imprisonment, released under amnesty on 28.09.1994), on 22.04.2009 a pre-trial custody ruled durante absentia, detained on 23.03.2022 in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Region, extradited to Uzbekistan, convictedon 30.09.2022 by the Kanlykol District Court under Arts. 156, Part 3, para. “e”; 159, Part 1; 244-1, Part 3, para. “a”, and 244-2, Part 1 of the CCU, and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in a penal colony. On 26.12.2022, the court upheld his sentence on appeal.

Note: The criminal case against Utemisov is linked to the case of Turganbay Khodzalepesov & others, who were convicted on 28.09.2009 by the Republicof Karakalpakstan’s SupremeCourt. According to the prosecution, in May 2008, the defendant together with several Karakalpakstan residents (including his brother, Onalbay Utemisov) established a fundamentalist community in Almaty, called “Salafis” or “Vakhabites”; on 30.10.2008, published “A Book of Tawhid” inAlmaty that calledfor establishing an Islamic state;in October 2008,the book along with the two others, Ислам уағазы(“Islamic sermon”) and Иман негиздеринин түсиниктемеси (“Interpreting the foundations of faith”), as well as religious audio lectures by Abduvali Mirzaev and Ценасвободы (“Cost of freedom”) CDs, were illegally brought by bus from Almaty to Nukus,where they were further circulated among residents; in March 2009, on Utemisov’s order, community members were active in the Imam Eshon Muhammad Mosque and the Islamic Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Beruni secondary school, both in Nukus. The court's assessment of the above-mentioned religious materials is based on the results of a comprehensive forensic psychological, philosophical, philological and religious examination conducted in 2009. The defendant’s arguments are not includedin the appeal ruling. The court removed Art. 159, Part 3, s. “a” of the CCU.

Sources: appeal ruling, website of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, mentioned above:

28 – Types of Accomplices

105 – Intentional Infliction of Medium Bodily Injury

109 - Intentional Infliction of Trivial Bodily Injury

139 – Denigration (charged against Dadebaev)

140, Part 3 paras. «а» – Insult in connection with performing by a victim his professional or civil duty (charged against Dadebaev)

155 – Terrorism (charged against Dadebaev)

155, Part 3 – Financing Terrorism (charged against seven convicts under the Hizb ut-Tahrir case)

156 – Incitement of Ethnic, Racial or Religious Hatred (charged against Dadebaev and Utemisov)

157 – High Treason (charged against Aldamzharov)

158, Part 3 – Public affront or denigration with regard to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (charged against Dadebaev and Musapbarov)

159, Parts 1,3 – Public statements to unconstitutional change of the existing state order or to unconstitutional impairment of integrity of the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan (charged against Aitmuratov, Musapbarov, Redzhepov, Reimov, Saliev and Utemisov)

159, Part 4 – A conspiracy with the purpose of assumption of power or overthrowing of the constitutional order of the Republic of Uzbekistan (charged against Tajimuratov and Dadebaev)

166 – Robbery (charged against Omirzakov)

167 – Larceny by Embezzlement (charged against Tajimuratov)

168 – Fraud

171 – Acquisition or Uttering of Criminally Acquired Property

205 – Abuse of Power or Office

207 – Neglect of Office

210 – Acceptance of Bribe

215 – Disrespect to State Emblems (charged against Dadebaev)

228, Part 3 – Use of a knowingly forged document

243 – Legalization of Revenue from Criminal Activities (charged against Tajimuratov)

244, Part 3 – Organization or active participation in riots (charged against 30 convicts under the case of riots in Karakalpakstan and Dadebaev)

244.1 – Production and Dissemination of Materials Containing Threat to Public Security and Public Order (charged against seven convicts under the case of riots in Karakalpakstan, nine convicts under the Hizb ut-Tahrir case, Aitmuratov, Dadebaev, Musapbarov, Redzhepov, Saliev and Utemisov)

244.2 – Participation in Religious Extremist, Separatist, Fundamentalist or Other Banned Organizations (charged against ten convicts under the Hizb ut-Tahrir case, Dadebaev, Musapbarov and Utemisov)

246 – Smuggling

247 – Illegal Occupancy of Firearms, Ammunition, Explosive Substances, or Explosive Assemblies (charged against five participants of the riots in Karakalpakstan in the episodes of disarming the security officials on 02.07.2022)

266 – Violation of Safety Regulations on Movement or Operation of Means of Transportation

277 – Hooliganism

Report in the format: pdf