Society news

Uzbekistan is experiencing a real tourism revolution this year. This was reported by Upl.uz. This information was provided by the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In the first half of 2025, the number of foreign citizens arriving in the country for tourism purposes reached 783.7 thousand. This figure indicates an increase of 255.1 thousand people or 48.3 percent compared to the same period last year. In the first six months of this year, foreign citizens traveling to Uzbekistan were distributed by countries as follows: 166.6 thousand from Russia, 123.0 thousand from Turkmenistan, 77.7 thousand from Kazakhstan, 71.6 thousand from Kyrgyzstan, 49.1 thousand from Tajikistan, 39.1 thousand from China, 29.3 thousand from Turkey, 22.0 thousand from India, 18.6 thousand from Italy, 14.9 thousand from South Korea, 14.7 thousand from Germany, and 13.2 thousand from the USA. Additionally, the number of tourists from other countries amounted to 143.9 thousand. These figures indicate the growing tourism potential of Uzbekistan and the increasing interest in our country among foreign tourists. This is contributing to the emergence of new opportunities in the tourism sector of the economy. As a result of the efforts being made to develop tourism in our country, the flow of international tourists is significantly increasing.

According to information from the press service of the Tashkent city Emergency Situations Department, a fire broke out on August 12 around 12:00 in one of the multi-apartment buildings located on Rohat Street in the Bektemir district. This was reported by Upl.uz. The fire spread in an apartment on the seventh floor. At 12:06, three fire-rescue teams and two fire trucks arrived at the scene. Thanks to the prompt and effective actions of the fire extinguishing service, the fire was completely extinguished by 12:12. No one was injured as a result of this incident. As a result of the fire, the furniture and interior decoration items in the apartment covering an area of 20 square meters were damaged. The causes of the fire are currently being investigated. The Emergency Situations Department advises citizens to strictly adhere to fire safety rules

Residents of Tashkent are increasingly complaining about the dogs roaming the streets on social media. This was reported by Upl.uz. They are preventing people from safely leaving their homes in the evening. In various areas of the city, dogs are roaming in packs, frightening the population. A resident of the Yunusabad district stated that he and his wife often go for walks in the evening, but recently these walks have turned into a real challenge. Many street dogs have appeared in the area, and they are acting aggressively in groups. They expressed concern for their own safety and that of their families. Additionally, it is noted that many people are irresponsibly abandoning their pets and driving dogs out of their homes. As a result, the number of street dogs is increasing every year. The city's residents are asking the authorities to organize a special shelter and ensure safety. It is necessary to take appropriate measures regarding this issue

According to the press service of the Internal Affairs Department of Samarkand region, individuals involved in human trafficking have been arrested. This was reported by Upl.uz. A special operational event was held at the Islam Karimov International Airport in Tashkent in cooperation with the internal affairs bodies of Samarkand region and the National Security Service. During the event, two citizens from the Akdariyon district, aged 41 and 31, were arrested. They were caught while attempting to force two women, aged 23 and 25, who were being sent to India, into sexual services. It was revealed that upon arrival in India, the girls were to be met by their criminal accomplices. It has been determined that the arrested individuals identified women in difficult life situations in the Samarkand region and offered them illegal work. A criminal case has been initiated under the article "Human Trafficking" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and investigative actions are ongoing.

According to the press service of the Committee for the Development of Competition and Protection of Consumer Rights, measures are being taken against bloggers who violate the law on advertising. This was reported by Upl.uz. The committee continuously monitors the implementation of the law on advertising of the Republic of Uzbekistan on social networks and internet resources. As a result of the monitoring, cases were identified where bloggers with hundreds of thousands of subscribers promoted advertisements for betting offices prohibited by law. This advertising often does not appear directly but is presented in a natural style. Based on this, videos containing advertisements for the "***bet" betting office and footage promoting gambling games were identified from bloggers Hakimov A.F. (amirxon_uzbek) and Ilyosov D.M. (donik_krash). Administrative documents have been formalized regarding their actions, and they have been sent to court for a legal decision. As noted by the committee representatives, the law on advertising of the Republic of Uzbekistan strictly prohibits any gambling advertisements, and appropriate measures will be taken against such violations. Therefore, bloggers and other internet users must comply with the legal requirements

An employee of the internal affairs bodies was detained for taking a bribe, reports the press service of the State Security Service. This was reported by Upl.uz. Special operational measures were carried out by the employees of the State Security Service in Tashkent city. During the operation, a senior inspector of the passport and visa department of the Migration and Personalization Department was caught in his service room at the Islam Karimov International Airport in Tashkent. He received 400 US dollars from another citizen. In exchange for this money, he promised to expedite the stamping of information about a minor citizen's foreign passport. Preliminary investigations revealed that this employee had received between 300 and 700 dollars to expedite exit visas for 42 foreign citizens throughout 2025, as well as between 200 and 400 dollars from 8 citizens of Uzbekistan to expedite the stamping of passengers in the foreign passports of minor children. A criminal case has been initiated regarding this incident, and investigative actions are ongoing.

According to the press service of the State Security Service, an internal affairs officer was detained. This was reported by Upl.uz. Special operational measures were carried out in Bukhara region in cooperation with the staff of the State Security Service, internal affairs agencies, and representatives of the prosecutor's office. During the operation, an officer from the investigation department of the Bukhara city internal affairs department was detained. It was determined that he had received 13 thousand US dollars, and this money had been previously processed with special chemical substances. In exchange for this amount, his acquaintances in the service promised to help stop the criminal case against him. A criminal case has been initiated regarding this incident, and investigative actions are currently underway. This operation was carried out within the framework of ensuring the rule of law and combating corruption. The internal affairs and security agencies are continuously working to protect the interests of the population.

The Russian company "Indyushkin dvor," located in the Rostov region, plans to significantly increase the number of employees by attracting new specialists from Uzbekistan. This was reported by Upl.uz. This was reported by the "Dunyo" news agency. Currently, there are 150 foreign employees working at the company, of which 26 are citizens of Uzbekistan. In connection with the expansion of the company's activities, it is necessary to hire approximately 100 more people. The management of "Indyushkin dvor" proposed to establish a permanent partnership, highly valuing the professional qualifications and diligence of Uzbeks. Representatives of the Uzbek Consulate General in Rostov provided all the necessary information regarding the employment procedures and submitted a draft agreement that includes a list of documents. "Indyushkin dvor" is one of the major companies in Turkey for meat production, supplying its products to 18 countries, including Uzbekistan. The company aims to further develop production by attracting new specialists.

In the city of Zarafshan, Navoi region, a burst main water pipeline caused flooding in residential homes on the night of August 2. This was reported by Upl.uz. The incident occurred at 01:50 AM, but official information was provided later. According to the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, there were no casualties or injuries as a result of the incident. The pipeline rupture occurred in an industrial water pipeline under the jurisdiction of the "Unified Energy Service for External Water Supply" at Pumping Station No. 6. The diameter of the pipeline is 1250 millimeters, which caused the water to spread quickly and over a large area. Essentially, the impact reached the residential area. The water flow entered the living rooms of houses 23 and 25, as well as house 16 on North Street, soaking the foundations and walls. Homeowners reported damage to personal and household items, and the extent of the damage is currently being assessed. The emergency management department promptly sent services and technical equipment to the scene. Rescuers used special equipment to pump out the water and eliminate the consequences of the flooding. By morning, most of the water around the houses had been cleared. Videos from witnesses circulated on social media. They show that approximately 20 houses in the "Oazis" recreation area were damaged. Some local residents noted that emergency services were slow to respond to calls. The situation has now stabilized. The exact assessment of the damage and the work to repair the water pipeline have begun. Industrial water pipelines with diameters of 1200-1400 millimeters are considered critical infrastructure for major industrial areas and cities. Emergencies that occur in such pipelines must be addressed promptly, as water pressure and volume can cause significant damage to the environment.

Significant changes are being made in the field of intellectual property protection in the legal system of Uzbekistan. This was reported by Upl.uz. The new law signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on August 8 aims to strengthen responsibility for violations in this area while simplifying the processes for registering rights. According to the official channel of the Ministry of Justice, this law will be an important step in creating favorable conditions for authors, inventors, and rights holders. The main innovation of the law is the introduction of criminal liability for the use of illegal trademarks. From now on, such actions, as well as violations of property rights related to software, inventions, and industrial designs, will be prosecuted under the Criminal Code. These changes will come into effect three months after the official announcement, allowing time to adapt to the new rules. Along with the strengthening of criminal liability, administrative penalties have also been revised. Fines for violations of copyright and related rights will be significantly increased. Additionally, administrative liability has been introduced for violations related to selection results and topologies of integrated circuits. The justice authorities will now have the right to inspect and confiscate counterfeit products. The procedure for removing counterfeit goods from civil circulation and destroying them has been clearly defined. Despite the strengthening of liability measures, the new law also aims to simplify the process of registering intellectual property rights. For example, patents and trademarks will automatically be assigned a unique QR code, which will facilitate their validation and use. Flexibility has also been shown in the payment of state duties. Applicants now have the opportunity to extend the payment deadline by three months, for which they must pay an additional 50 percent of the specified amount. Furthermore, the requirement to submit a document confirming the payment for the registration of industrial designs has been abolished. The number of documents required for registering new selection results, namely agricultural crops and livestock breeds, has been reduced. Deadlines for administrative processes have been shortened: the examination of applications for the registration of computer programs and databases should not exceed 10 days, while the expertise for registration as a place of origin of goods will be completed within one month. The first law on copyright protection in the world, the "Statute of Anne," was adopted in Great Britain in 1710. This law granted authors the right to publish their books for 14 years, and if the author is alive, this period is extended by another 14 years.

The press service of the Jizzakh region Internal Affairs Department reported that it has been identified that narcotic plants are being cultivated. This was reported by Upl.uz. In cooperation with the employees of the internal affairs bodies and representatives of the State Security Service, a special operational event was held in the Gallaorol district of Jizzakh region. During the event, the territory of the enterprise belonging to "T.A.S." LLC, located in the Bulokboshi neighborhood, was inspected. As a result of the inspection, 23 cannabis plants were found. During the investigation of this case, it was revealed that the security guard of the enterprise was engaged in planting and caring for these narcotic plants. He was born in 1971 and lives in the Toshmasjid neighborhood of the Kiziltepa district of Navoi region. A criminal case has been initiated under the first part of the article "Cultivation of prohibited cultural plants" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding this case. The suspect may face a penalty of up to three years of imprisonment.

The extensive repair work on the heat networks in the Yunusabad district will be completed by August 30, 2025. This was reported by Upl.uz. This was announced by Veolia Energy Tashkent. As part of the planned repair and restoration work, the following activities are being carried out in the underground engineering collectors and heat networks of the district. In the area from the Yunusabad district tax office to house 1a on Oluy Street, pipes with a diameter of 500 millimeters are being replaced over a length of 2500 meters. The work is being carried out with the help of cranes through installation windows. Additionally, heat networks with a diameter of 500 millimeters are being renewed over a length of 280 meters in the direction from the administrative building of the Tashkent University of Information Technologies to the Central Bank NBU building. Here, A. At the intersection of Temur and Hakimzoda streets, near the university dormitory, networks with a diameter of 300 millimeters are being replaced over a distance of 200 meters. Also, heat networks with a diameter of 500 millimeters are being renewed over a length of 450 meters along the pedestrian path from the Shahriston restaurant area towards the railway. Similarly, networks of the same diameter are being replaced over 450 meters on the road from the People's Bank building to the Yunusabad district criminal court building. All designated work is planned to be fully completed by August 30, 2025. This repair work is aimed at improving the reliability and efficiency of the heating supply in the area. Users are asked for understanding and patience regarding temporary inconveniences.

The government of Uzbekistan is preparing to implement a number of changes in the field of labor relations. This was reported by Upl.uz. Among the main proposals are the following: documents certified through electronic digital signatures and facial recognition systems will be equated with paper documents signed personally; paper labor books will be abandoned when an electronic labor book is available; the procedure for hiring employees and changing positions will be simplified; the obligation to report and accountability for refusing to hire candidates sent by labor authorities will be abolished. Starting from 2026, a system for reducing the "Transparent Construction" rating for informal employment in the construction sector will be introduced. Fines ranging from 30 to 100 basic calculation amounts will be imposed for such violations. These changes aim to increase the efficiency of the labor market and promote legal employment.

According to the press service of Hududgaz Poytaxt, emergency restoration works are being carried out in our city. This was reported by Upl.uz. On August 11, 2024, a wall collapse occurred on S. Mashhadiy Street in the Yashnobod district of Tashkent city. As a result of this incident, damage occurred to the medium-pressure gas pipeline. Currently, the emergency team is continuing repair and restoration work at the damaged site. Due to the accident, 150 households were left without gas supply. Once the repair work is completed, natural gas supply will be fully restored. The exact completion time of the work is not yet known. Officials from Hududgaz Poytaxt are monitoring the situation and will continue to inform the public about it. All necessary measures are being taken to ensure the stability of gas supply. The public is asked for patience and understanding.

A large fire broke out last night in the Uch Qahramon market area of Tashkent district. This was reported by Upl.uz. Ten firefighting brigades were called to the scene. The fire started at 02:22 and was completely extinguished only at 04:46. No information has been provided about any casualties so far. Videos showing the aftermath of the fire have circulated on social media. Many witnesses report that almost the entire market area was damaged by the fire. Currently, investigations are underway to determine the causes of the fire. An official investigation is ongoing regarding the incident, and necessary measures are being taken. Preventive work on fire safety and prevention will be intensified. The importance of adhering to safety regulations in the market area has been emphasized once again. More information will be provided once the causes of the fire are determined.

The press service of the State Security Service reported that a court ruling was issued for committing a crime in the city of Bekaobod, located in the Tashkent region. This was reported by Upl.uz. An employee of the compulsory enforcement bureau, born in 1989, was detained in Bekaobod. He was caught while receiving money, totaling 13 million soums. During the investigation, it was revealed that he had previously received 450 US dollars and 1.3 million soums. In exchange for this money, he promised to lift the travel ban for the residents of Bekaobod district due to alimony debts. In the Bekaobod district criminal court, this individual was found guilty under part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, "Receiving Bribes," and part 3, "Fraud." The court sentenced him to 6 years of imprisonment. Additionally, he was banned from working in law enforcement agencies and other state organizations for 2 years. This case demonstrates the strict measures being taken against crime and corruption in state institutions.

According to the press service of the Samarkand region's Internal Affairs Directorate, individuals who violated traffic rules were held accountable. This was reported by Upl.uz. Information spread on social networks about the driver and passenger of a "Nexia" car in the Samarkand region sticking their feet out of the window while driving on public roads. This incident caused a significant uproar on social media, with users demanding punishment for those who do not respect the rights of road traffic participants. As a result of an inspection conducted by law enforcement officers, it was determined that the owner of this vehicle was an 18-year-old son and his friend. It turned out that this individual was driving without a driver's license. The incident occurred in the Urgut district. Those involved in the crime were unable to explain their actions. The vehicle owner stated that he took the car while his son was sleeping. Administrative reports were formalized for violations such as driving without a driver's license and sticking feet out of the car. The car was placed in a penalty area. Such incidents once again highlight the importance of strict control and punitive measures in ensuring road traffic safety.

According to the press service of Hududgaz Poytaxt, on the night of August 11, 2024, 35 houses located on Kuvnok Street, 5th lane in the Uchtepa district of Tashkent city were disconnected from gas supply. This was reported by Upl.uz. The reason for this is an accident that occurred on the medium-pressure gas pipeline, where a tree fell on the gas pipeline due to the wind, causing damage. Currently, emergency service personnel are carrying out repair work to eliminate the accident. They are implementing measures aimed at restoring natural gas supply as quickly as possible. Once all repair work is completed, the gas supply will be fully restored. Hududgaz Poytaxt asks the population for patience and expresses gratitude for their understanding. The inconveniences in gas supply are temporary and will be resolved soon.

According to the press service of Uzenergoinspektsiya, illegal electricity consumption has been stopped. This was reported by Upl.uz. Employees of the Samarkand regional Uzenergoinspektsiya inspected the activities of the limited liability company "D. B." located in Samarkand city. During the inspection, it was found that this enterprise had illegally connected electrical equipment with a capacity of 34 kilowatts to the electricity network. This equipment consumed electricity without passing through the meter. According to preliminary calculations, the amount of damage caused to the electricity supply organization amounts to 2 billion 680 million soums. Relevant documents have been formalized regarding this case, and they have been submitted to law enforcement agencies for initial investigative actions. The responsible persons of the enterprise may be punished under part 4 of Article 166 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, that is, for the crime of theft, with a penalty of up to 15 years of imprisonment.

An employee of the state unitary enterprise has been detained, reports the press service of the SGB. This was reported by Upl.uz. Special operational measures were carried out in Khorezm region in cooperation with SGB employees and the regional department of the Prosecutor General's Office. During the operation, an employee of the "Tax Service" state unitary enterprise in the Gurlan district was detained. He promised to assist two unemployed citizens in entering salary information into a single database for the period from January to June 2025, and to provide the relevant certificates without actually placing them in a job, in exchange for 12.5 million soums. A criminal case has been initiated regarding this incident, and investigative actions are currently underway. This case has been taken under serious control by state authorities. During the investigation process, the rights and legal interests of all parties will be protected. This incident is being evaluated as an important part of the fight against corruption. Necessary measures are being taken to ensure transparency and legality in public services.

Attention to partners in Uzbekistan and the Central Asia region! This was reported by Upl.uz. A major event uniting the opportunities of China and Central Asia will soon open at the International Exhibition Center in Tashkent. From September 16 to 18, 2025, the China-Central Asia Trade Exhibition will be held in an expanded format in Uzbekistan, offering you access opportunities to the Chinese market. This exhibition will present three main directions – new business opportunities. Technologies and ecological development will be showcased together. The exhibition will feature China's advanced achievements, including Gree's "Family Intelligent Solutions," Hisense's "Ultra-clear Display Technology," as well as energy-saving equipment and smart mining machinery from leading companies such as Zhejiang Hangcha and North Heavy Industry. Approximately over 200 leading Chinese companies will participate in the event. The exhibits cover the most innovative fields, from touch terminals to biomimetic robots, artificial intelligence-based diagnostic and treatment systems. On the opening day, a trade and investment forum will be held with representatives from official Chinese and Uzbek institutions, trade and industry associations, and companies. Special zones will be organized for brand presentations and sector-specific negotiations. Demands and offers will be announced online in real-time, enabling direct purchases and cooperation initiation during the exhibition. Additionally, within the event, a national image zone will be established to get closer acquainted with Chinese culture. Here, workshops on calligraphy, tea ceremonies, and paper-cutting art will be held, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of Chinese culture. The exhibition will showcase six main directions and the national image zone: smart manufacturing and industrial equipment, green energy and energy storage, electronic technologies, smart transport, eco-friendly construction materials, and digital trade and services. The most promising sectors, including new energy source vehicles, mechanical equipment, eco-friendly agriculture, household electronics, and digital services, will be widely presented. Chinese companies will bring their latest achievements and express readiness for direct cooperation. Whether you are a company seeking technological innovation or an organization aiming to expand your brand in Central Asia, this exhibition will become your key business event for 2025. We invite you to cooperate. Let’s open new opportunities between China and Uzbekistan. This event will be an important milestone in the trade history of Central Asia. Are you ready?

According to initial information from the press service of the Tashkent City Emergency Situations Department, a fire broke out in the Yakasaroy district. This was reported by Upl.uz. On September 11, 2024, at approximately 12:40, the Tashkent City Emergency Situations Department received a report about a fire in a plastic pipe manufacturing workshop. The incident occurred on Kushbegi Street in the Yakasaroy district of the capital. It took six minutes to reach the fire site. Fire and rescue units immediately began extinguishing the fire. At 13:08, the fire was localized, and seven minutes later it was completely extinguished. The Minister of Emergency Situations and heads of regional departments arrived at the scene. Currently, an investigative team is working to determine the causes of the fire. No other official information has been provided regarding the incident. Also, there is no information about any casualties. The Emergency Situations Department stated that it will provide complete information about the incident later.

According to the press service of the Capital's Compulsory Enforcement Bureau, the debt on the loan has been recovered. This was reported by Upl.uz. The Interdistrict Civil Court of Uchtepa received an enforcement order regarding the debt from the Chilonzor district Compulsory Enforcement Bureau. The debtor took a loan of 31,101,883 soums from "TBC Bank" and failed to repay it on time. After the enforcement proceedings began, the debtor was given a 15-day period to voluntarily repay the debt. However, no payment was made during this time, so the enforcement actions continued. Employees of the Compulsory Enforcement Bureau identified the debtor's property, including one vehicle, through the special electronic program "MIB-portal," and imposed a restriction on it. Following these measures, the debtor fully repaid the debt to the bank, and the enforcement case was completely closed due to the debt being settled. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of legal measures in recovering loan debts.

According to the press service of the Department under the Prosecutor General's Office, the fraudsters have been arrested. This was reported by Upl.uz. Department employees in the Samarkand region and representatives of the State Security Service jointly conducted a special rapid operation. During the operation, the head of a private enterprise named “A.D.” was caught while receiving money. He was apprehended while taking an amount of 7 thousand US dollars. It was revealed that this person gained the trust of two citizens and promised to help them go to work in Slovakia. This amount included the processing of all documents necessary for labor migration. Additionally, another person was arrested by the Department and State Security Service employees in the Jizzakh region. He took 2 thousand US dollars from two citizens and promised to arrange visas for them to go to the United States of America. In both cases, criminal cases were initiated under the “Fraud” article of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Currently, investigative actions are being carried out to identify other victims of the criminals. Such cases demonstrate serious measures being taken to protect the rights and interests of citizens.

Yesterday, on September 10, incorrect information about children being kidnapped in the Tashkent region spread on social networks. This was reported by Upl.uz. The report stated that a group of men wearing masks were kidnapping children in the region. It was also mentioned that one boy escaped from a black car, but the kidnappers caught up with him and threw him into a canal. After this information spread, law enforcement agencies of the region began investigating the situation. During the investigation, it was revealed that a 13-year-old teenager living in Yukorichirchiq district was the source of this panic. On September 9, the boy went from home to a friend's place without informing his parents. When found, he admitted that he had completely fabricated the kidnapping story to avoid punishment. The teenager claimed that masked men kidnapped him in a black car, tied his hands, feet, and mouth. He also said that they hid him in the car trunk, but he managed to get out. Believing these words, the parents recorded a video about the kidnapping, which later spread on social networks. After the investigation, law enforcement agencies acknowledged that the boy's story was false. According to the Tashkent region internal affairs departments, no cases of child kidnapping have been recorded in the region in recent years. Thus, the circulated information was found to be untrue. We urge parents and the public not to believe such false information.

According to the press service of the Samarkand Regional Bureau of Compulsory Enforcement, an alimony debtor has been detained. This was reported by Upl.uz. Based on the decision of the inter-district civil court of Kattakurghan, an enforcement order was received by the Nurabad district Bureau of Compulsory Enforcement to collect alimony from a man for the benefit of his minor children. According to the information, the father had not paid alimony for a long time, and his debt had reached 30 million soms. Additionally, he was hiding in an unknown location. Therefore, search operations were conducted by the bureau's rapid response unit. During the operational activities, the wanted person was detained while attempting to escape through the window of a hotel room in Samarkand city and was handed over to state bailiffs. The man may face administrative liability under the Article "Evasion of maintenance of a minor or disabled person" of the Administrative Liability Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which can result in administrative detention for up to 15 days. It is emphasized that if he continues to avoid paying alimony, a criminal case may be initiated under the same article of the Criminal Code, which can lead to imprisonment for up to one year.

According to the press service of the Department under the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the illegal sale of drugs of questionable quality has been prevented. This was reported by Upl.uz. During a special rapid operation conducted by the Qarshi district department officers, it was revealed that a married couple living in the "Bogobod" neighborhood of Qarshi district was engaged in the illegal sale of drugs. A complete drug warehouse was discovered at their residence, and a total of 3,920 units of 94 types of drugs and medical supplies were confiscated. The total value of the confiscated products amounted to 210.6 million soums. These drugs and medical supplies lacked proper documentation, and their origin and quality were unverified. In connection with this case, a criminal case has been initiated under the article of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan concerning "Manufacturing, purchasing, storing, transporting, or selling drugs of questionable quality or counterfeit drugs, selling drugs outside pharmacies and their branches, as well as violating retail sales rules of drugs containing potent substances by prescription." Currently, investigative authorities are working to identify the supplier of the confiscated drugs and other persons involved in the crime.

According to the press service of the State Security Service, members of a covert group of a terrorist organization in Surxondaryo region have been sentenced. This was reported by Upl.uz. The activities of the group engaged in illegal activities were stopped by the service officers. It was revealed that in 2024 this criminal group consisted of more than 20 members, some of whom had previously been convicted for extremist ideas and were conditionally released early. The group members held secret meetings under the pretext of gathering in the mountains surrounded by nature, where they discussed extremist ideas. They also raised issues related to going to Syria to join militants and preparing for self-sacrifice. Additionally, they established contacts with professional recruiters of an international terrorist organization and planned to carry out various terrorist acts under their leadership. These group members communicated through a closed group on Telegram and distributed electronic instructions on making explosive devices and poisonous substances at home. At the time of arrest, it was found that four citizens had joined militants in Syria; criminal cases were initiated against them, and they were placed on the international wanted list. The 20 most active members of the criminal group were found guilty under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan of “Terrorism,” “Studying, leaving, or moving to carry out terrorist activities,” “Financing terrorism,” “Attacking the constitutional order of the Republic of Uzbekistan,” “Preparing, storing, distributing, or demonstrating materials threatening public safety and order,” and “Organizing, managing, or participating in religious extremist, separatist, fundamentalist, or other banned organizations.” They were sentenced to imprisonment terms ranging from 6 to 13 years. Amnesty was applied to other members of the criminal group, and their sentences were reduced. During this process, strict legal measures are being implemented to ensure state security and combat terrorism.