Society news

The children's rights representative Surayo Rahmonova visited the children's hospital in Angren. This was reported by Upl.uz. She went there to personally familiarize herself with the condition of a 15-year-old girl. This case has attracted significant public attention due to the media coverage of the investigation processes related to the crime of rape. During the visit on July 24, Rahmonova thoroughly examined the medical documents. Special attention was given to the diagnoses and the prescribed treatment course. Additionally, she personally spoke with the victim to obtain direct information about her health and needs. The hospital medical staff is taking all necessary measures to stabilize the patient's condition. The girl has been diagnosed with severe illnesses such as acute arthritis, bilateral bronchopneumonia, and sepsis. Furthermore, protein-energy malnutrition and severe anemia have also been noted. According to the representative's official statement, these illnesses are chronic in nature and are not directly related to the consequences of the crime. This case is being closely monitored by the children's rights representative and the National Social Protection Agency. The criminal case was opened on May 9, 2024, and the investigation processes are being supervised by the Angren city prosecutor's office. The institution of children's rights representation in the Republic of Uzbekistan was established based on a law adopted in February 2024. This body has broad authority to ensure parliamentary oversight of the fulfillment of children's rights and legal interests by state bodies and officials.

The Azerbaijani government extradited 43-year-old Uzbek citizen Amonbek Yusupov to Uzbekistan on charges of violating the honor and dignity of the President based on an interstate search. This was reported by Upl.uz. The information was provided by the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan. This individual was detained in Azerbaijan in April. The extradition was carried out based on a request sent by the Prosecutor General's Office of Uzbekistan within the framework of existing international agreements. This handover process was conducted in accordance with the rules of the convention on "Legal assistance and legal relations in civil, family, and criminal matters" signed in Chișinău on October 7, 2002. This document regulates cooperation between the competent authorities of the participating states in criminal matters. Amonbek Yusupov was handed over to representatives of Uzbekistan in a special convoy organized by the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan. He is currently being brought to Uzbekistan, where investigative actions are being carried out in accordance with national legislation. It should be noted that in March 2021, amendments were made to the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan establishing liability for insulting or defaming the honor and dignity of the President in public, including through telecommunications networks and the internet. A penalty of up to five years of imprisonment may be applied for this crime. The 2002 Chișinău convention is an important international document that simplifies and regulates legal assistance in the territory of the CIS countries. It particularly facilitates the process of extraditing individuals who have committed crimes.

A recent large study published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet Public Health suggests a reevaluation of traditional views on the number of daily steps necessary for health. This was reported by Upl.uz. According to the conclusions of an international group of scientists, walking 7,000 steps a day is sufficient to gain significant health benefits, rather than the commonly cited 10,000 steps. This conclusion is based on a meta-analysis of data from over 160,000 people participating in 31 studies. The analyses showed that individuals who walk approximately 7,000 steps a day have a significantly reduced risk level for health indicators. For example, their risk of developing dementia decreases by 38 percent, and the likelihood of falling among older adults decreases by 28 percent. Additionally, a 6 percent reduction in the likelihood of developing certain types of cancer has been noted. Walking 7,000 steps daily also helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, depression, and type 2 diabetes. The researchers emphasized that even walking 4,000 steps a day represents a significant improvement compared to a sedentary lifestyle. However, according to the analysis results, the greatest positive effect is observed specifically at 7,000 steps. Increasing the number of steps beyond this does not lead to statistically significant additional improvements in health status. The authors of the study highlight that the new goal of 7,000 steps is more realistic and achievable compared to the previously popular 10,000 steps. The previous figure was found to lack scientific basis, having emerged during a marketing campaign in Japan in the 1960s. The reevaluation of daily step counts is expected to encourage more people to increase their physical activity. In Uzbekistan, considering that a large portion of the population leads a sedentary lifestyle, such conclusions are particularly relevant. Initiatives aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle, such as creating a "Physical Activity Rating for the Population," could serve to improve the nation's health. The "10,000 steps a day" concept became popular in Japan before the 1965 Tokyo Olympics. This figure is derived from the name of a pedometer device called "Manpo-kei," which means "10,000 steps counter."

The press service of the Prosecutor General's Office reported that a large amount of natural gas theft has been detected. This was reported by Upl.uz. In cooperation with law enforcement officials and representatives of the gas supply organization, an inspection was conducted at the automobile gas filling compressor station owned by "O.G.O" LLC located in the Oltinkul district of Andijan region. The inspection revealed that the responsible individuals of this AGNKS had manipulated measuring devices to show a reduced consumption of natural gas. According to preliminary calculations, the amount of damage caused is estimated at 13.8 billion soums. An investigation is underway regarding this case. The criminals may face criminal liability under Article 169, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which could result in a sentence of up to 15 years of imprisonment. This case requires serious accountability before the law.

The firefighting operations that took place in the Yakkasaroy district of Tashkent city have been successfully completed, reports the city's Emergency Situations Department. This was reported by Upl.uz. On July 25, 2025, at approximately 10:30 AM, the Emergency Situations Department of Tashkent city received a report about the burning of trees. The incident occurred near house number 72 on Yunus Rajabiy Street in the Yakkasaroy district. Fire and rescue units were dispatched within six minutes to reach the scene, and firefighting operations began. As a result of prompt measures taken to extinguish the fire, it was completely eliminated by 10:42 AM. No one was injured as a result of the fire. Seven pine trees were almost completely destroyed due to the fire. The causes of the fire are currently being investigated. The Emergency Situations Department is asking citizens to increase caution and to protect nature.

According to the press service of the Tashkent region police, a citizen involved in human trafficking-related crimes has been detained. This was reported by Upl.uz. A special operational event was conducted in cooperation with the internal affairs authorities and the National Security Service. During the event, two women aged 26 and 33 from the Yangiyul district were stopped in the area of Islam Karimov International Airport in Tashkent. It has been revealed that these women were promised jobs and good salaries in Turkey based on the words of a woman born in 1991 living in the Qibray district. In reality, they were planned to be forced into sexual services upon arriving in Turkey. Additionally, they were supposed to be met at Istanbul airport by their criminal accomplices, who are also citizens of Uzbekistan. A criminal case has been opened under the article "Human Trafficking" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding this situation. Currently, the identities of the criminal accomplices are being determined in the investigation process.

According to the press service of the Tashkent region traffic police, the driver was held administratively responsible due to the actions of the passenger. This was reported by Upl.uz. A video depicting the incident that occurred in the Zomin district has spread on social networks. It shows a Nexia-3 model car moving while the girl inside sticks her head out of the window, putting her life at risk. Since this car is officially registered in the Tashkent region, the driver was summoned to the regional traffic police. During the conversation, it became known that the driver was a taxi driver who had taken a citizen of Kazakhstan for a ride in the Zomin district. While returning, the passenger stuck her head out of the window to take her picture and video. An administrative report was drawn up regarding this situation, and a preventive conversation was held with the driver. Such incidents remind us once again of the importance of adhering to traffic rules.

The press service of the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction reported that an investigation was conducted regarding the incident that occurred during the video selector meeting. This was reported by Upl.uz. A photo taken from the ministry's video selector meeting circulated on social media. During the meeting, one official forgot to turn off the webcam on his personal computer and was seen sitting on an employee's lap and hugging him during the live broadcast. An internal investigation was conducted regarding this incident, and the employment contracts with the relevant employees were terminated. It was noted that the male individual who participated in the video selector meeting had been working as a head of a department in the Kattakurgan district's employment and poverty reduction department since December 2023. The ministry took necessary measures regarding this incident and implemented additional oversight to prevent such inappropriate situations. It is considered important for meetings and activities held in the field of employment provision and poverty reduction to be transparent and lawful.

According to the press service of the Internal Affairs Department of Kashkadarya region, an individual related to the illegal drug trafficking was detained. This was reported by Upl.uz. Special operational measures were carried out by the internal affairs authorities in the territory of the Karshi district. During the operation, the house of a citizen previously accused of drug trafficking was inspected. During the inspection of the house, it was found that this individual was cultivating plants that cause addiction. A total of 153 cannabis plants were discovered in his yard. Additionally, 12 grams of marijuana, 6 grams of hashish, and 8 grams of opium were identified in his house and confiscated as physical evidence. A criminal case has been initiated regarding this incident under the articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan concerning "Cultivation of prohibited plants" and "Illegal production, purchase, storage, and other actions with narcotic substances". Currently, investigative actions are ongoing.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has significantly eased the driving regulations for citizens of Uzbekistan. This was reported by Upl.uz. The UAE Ministry of Internal Affairs has officially included Uzbekistan in the list of countries whose driver's licenses are valid in the UAE. This means that Uzbek tourists and residents no longer need to obtain an international driver's license or pass additional tests. If a citizen of Uzbekistan is in the UAE on a tourist visa, they can legally drive a car or motorcycle by simply presenting their valid national driver's license. No additional permits, documents, or tests are required, as long as the license is not expired. For citizens planning to move to the UAE for permanent or temporary residence, such as for work or study, there is an option to exchange their Uzbek driver's license for a local one. A residency visa is required for this, and standard procedures must be followed. This procedure includes: translation and certification of the Uzbek driver's license, a medical examination, including an eye test, as well as payment of government fees amounting to 600 dirhams (approximately 1.8 million soums). The exchange process can conveniently be carried out remotely through the UAE Ministry of Internal Affairs online platform. The user uploads the necessary documents, fills out the application, and after verification, receives the new driver's license electronically or via delivery. The recognition of Uzbek driver's licenses greatly contributes to strengthening the ties between Uzbekistan and the UAE. This not only creates convenience for thousands of tourists, students, and professionals but also indicates the expansion of bilateral cooperation. It should be noted that in many countries, national driver's licenses do not have legal force, especially if there is no transliteration in the Latin alphabet. Furthermore, many car rental and leasing companies specifically require an international document, especially when renting mid-range and business-class vehicles.

Today, on July 25, at 02:40, underground tremors were observed in some regions of Uzbekistan. This was reported by Upl.uz. According to the data from the Republic Seismic Forecast Center under the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the source of the earthquake is located in the territory of Kyrgyzstan. The magnitude of the earthquake was 3.6, and its epicenter was identified in the city of Jalalabad. The depth of the earthquake's center was 15 kilometers, and the shaking intensity at the epicenter was assessed at 3 points. The distance from the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, to the earthquake's epicenter is 284 kilometers in the southeast direction. The intensity of underground tremors in Uzbekistan was recorded as follows by regions: 2-3 points in the Pakhtabad district, 2 points in the Izboskan district, 2 points in the Andijan district, and 2 points in the Jalakuduk district. This information has been communicated to the public and relevant organizations, and it is also recommended to be prepared for emergencies.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, expressed deep condolences to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, regarding the crash of the AN-24 passenger plane that occurred in the Amur region. This was reported by Upl.uz. This disaster resulted in the loss of many lives. The leader of the Uzbek state expressed sincere sympathy to the families and loved ones of the 49 victims who perished in this horrific incident. It should be noted that this disaster occurred on July 24. The AN-24 plane crashed in the Amur region while flying on the route "Khabarovsk — Blagoveshchensk — Tynda". The plane took off from Khabarovsk at 07:36. There were a total of 49 people on board, including 43 passengers, among them 5 children, and 6 crew members. The crash site was located by rescue services approximately at 15:26, 15 kilometers from the designated airport. Unfortunately, all passengers and crew members on the plane perished as a result of this aviation disaster. According to preliminary information, the investigation is focusing on several potential causes. Among the main hypotheses are technical malfunction of the aircraft and crew error, which occurred under complex weather conditions. The exact causes and all details of the incident will be determined during the thorough investigation process being conducted by the relevant authorities in Russia.

The United Arab Emirates is becoming increasingly popular among citizens of Uzbekistan. This was reported by Upl.uz. According to the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, from January to May 2025, 71,400 Uzbeks traveled to the UAE for tourism purposes. Compared to the same period last year, the number of trips made by Uzbek citizens to the UAE increased by 15,700 or 28.2 percent. The distribution of visit purposes in the first five months of 2025 is as follows: the number of travelers is 63,042, those visiting relatives is 7,397, those on business trips is 571, those coming for medical treatment is 225, and those coming for education is 117. These figures confirm that the UAE is becoming more attractive for Uzbek citizens and that connections in tourism, family visits, as well as in service and education sectors are expanding. The increase in the number of Uzbek travelers and those traveling for other purposes is positively impacting the development of bilateral relations.

In the first five months of this year, more than 30,500 citizens of Uzbekistan visited Egypt. This was reported by Upl.uz. This information was provided by the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan and indicates a significant increase in tourist flow. From January to May 2025, the number of Uzbek citizens who traveled to Egypt increased by 17,000 compared to the same period last year. This means that the number of trips has increased by 2.2 times. The main purpose of Uzbeks' visits to Egypt is to relax and see the sights. Additionally, trips were made for family visits, medical treatment, business trips, and education. Specifically, the number of trips was 27,002, visits to relatives accounted for 3,392, medical treatment 64, business-related trips 15, and education 6. These figures clearly demonstrate positive changes in the tourism sector.

The section of Sodiq Azimov Street in the Yashnobod district of Tashkent city, from Mahtumquli Street to Istiqbol Street, which is 570 meters long, will be temporarily closed. This was reported by Upl.uz. This decision was made due to ongoing repair and construction works. It was announced by the press service of the Yashnobod district administration. The closure will last from 08:00 on July 24, 2025, to 08:00 on July 25, 2025. During this period, repair works will be carried out in this area. Drivers are advised to plan their routes in advance and use alternative roads. For this, they can move from Istiqbol Street, then pass through the 4th passage of Sodiq Azimov Street behind the Lotus building and the central pharmacy, and then switch to the desired direction via the 5th passage. The alternative road is marked in green on the map. These measures are being implemented to ensure road traffic safety and to carry out construction works effectively. Drivers are requested to be patient during this time and to follow the indicated directions.

Due to large-scale construction and installation work being carried out in the Shaykhontohur district of Tashkent city, drivers are advised to plan their road traffic in advance. This was reported by Upl.uz. From July 25 at 15:00 to July 28 at 06:00, one-way traffic on the Small Ring Road will be completely closed. The restrictions will cover the area starting from the intersection with Beshkayragach Street to the intersection with Beruniy Street. Traffic in this direction will be halted for the specified period. Drivers are advised to study the maps in advance and use alternative routes to bypass the closed area. The city residents are requested to be patient with these temporary inconveniences, as this work is necessary and important.

On July 23, a road traffic accident occurred in the Quvasoy district of the Fergana region, resulting in one person dead and another injured. This was reported by Upl.uz. According to the official information from the press service of the regional Road Traffic Safety Department, the incident took place around 16:00 at the 186th kilometer of the D-105 "Fergana-Khalqasi" highway, in the area of the Tolmozor neighborhood. The driver of a Nexia-3 model vehicle, born in 1993, attempted to overtake a vehicle ahead while moving in the designated direction. According to preliminary information, he lost control and crashed into a tree on the roadside. As a result, the car veered off the road. One of the passengers in the car died at the scene due to the injuries sustained. Another passenger was urgently taken to a nearby medical facility with various degrees of bodily injuries. Emergency services and law enforcement personnel quickly arrived at the scene. Currently, an investigation is underway regarding this road traffic accident. The condition of the injured person and the identity of the deceased are being determined. This incident once again highlights the relevance of road traffic safety issues in the area. It is worth noting that the D-105 highway is the main transport route connecting the major populated areas of the region, and the traffic density is considered high. Therefore, there is a need for strict adherence to traffic rules and an enhancement of safety measures.

The case of attempting to rob a bank using a toy reverse weapon was concluded at the Yunusabad District Court. This was reported by Upl.uz. According to the court's verdict, the defendant was sentenced to five years of imprisonment in a general regime colony. This incident occurred on April 18 of this year at one of the bank branches in the capital and attracted widespread public attention. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that a man from the Kibray district entered the "Trustbank" private joint-stock bank's "Turkiston" service center, took a toy reverse weapon, and demanded money from the bank employee. It was later determined that the weapon was wrapped in black insulation tape and belonged to the defendant's grandson as a toy. The bank employees, without panicking, pressed the alarm button, which led to the arrival of a rapid response group from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Upon seeing the law enforcement officers, the attacker tried to escape by breaking the window of the entrance door but was apprehended. In court, the defendant fully admitted his guilt and expressed remorse for his actions. He emphasized that he resorted to this act due to difficult life situations and psychological pressure. He also stated that he was unaware of the video surveillance system and security guards in the bank. "When I entered, I told myself that I was doing something wrong and left. I did not harm anyone, nor did I take any money," the defendant explained. The bank employee did not file a complaint and requested the court to impose a penalty within the legal framework, not demanding the maximum punishment. Despite this, the prosecutor requested a prison sentence of eight to nine years for the defendant for robbery with the use of a weapon. The court, taking into account several mitigating factors, including genuine remorse, the absence of material damage, and the fact that the weapon was a toy, reclassified the charges to a lighter one. The man was found guilty under Part 1 of Article 164 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Robbery). This article refers to the theft of another person's property through violence or the threat of violence.

The press service of the Tashkent region customs department reported that the illegal import of mobile devices has been prevented. This was reported by Upl.uz. In cooperation with the staff of the Navoi border customs post and the anti-smuggling department of the Tashkent region customs department, a personal inspection was conducted on four citizens who crossed the border into Uzbekistan. During the inspection, it was revealed that 180 mobile phones of "iPhone" were hidden in their hand luggage and under their clothing. These devices were concealed with the aim of evading customs control. The total value of the identified and confiscated phones amounted to one billion eight hundred million soums. Investigative actions are underway regarding this case. Criminal liability may be applied to individuals involved in illegal activities.

According to the press service of the capital's main department, it has been revealed that a citizen living in house 14 of the 17th microdistrict of Yunusabad district has illegally cultivated plants that are classified as narcotic substances. This was reported by Upl.uz. Law enforcement agencies received information about illegal activities taking place at this address. Based on this, a special operational event was conducted, and an inspection was carried out in the citizen's residence. During the inspection, 13 cannabis plants, 3 kilograms of marijuana, electronic scales, and other narcotic substances were found. It was determined that the criminal had created the necessary conditions and microclimate for growing these plants at home. Initial investigative actions have begun regarding this case, and a legal assessment of the citizen's actions will be made at the end of the investigation. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of measures taken in the fight against the distribution and cultivation of narcotic substances. Law enforcement agencies are continuously working to combat such cases to ensure the safety of the population.