Society news

The press service of the Department under the Prosecutor General's Office reports that the sale of low-quality alcohol products has been prevented. This was reported by Upl.uz. Employees of the New Market district department conducted a special operational event. During the event, it was discovered that dangerous alcohol products for health were being sold in a store belonging to "S.V." LLC, and a total of 15,502 counterfeit excise stamps of low-quality alcohol products were seized. These counterfeit products were taken as evidence. A criminal case has been initiated based on the articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding "Manufacturing and selling counterfeit money, excise stamps, or securities" and "Illegal circulation or production of ethanol, alcohol, and tobacco products". Investigative actions are ongoing by the relevant authorities.

The Ministry of Construction and Communal Services of the Republic of Uzbekistan recently issued an official statement. This was reported by Upl.uz. This statement was presented in response to public discussions that arose regarding the Deputy Minister's comments on the pricing of houses in the housing renovation program. The ministry is focusing on eliminating misunderstandings that have arisen in the public and ensuring the protection of citizens' property rights. The discussions began after a statement made by Deputy Minister Ozoda Juraeva. At a press conference held on the topic of preparing houses for winter, she described the compensation amounts expected by owners of dilapidated houses as "overvalued." This opinion was perceived by the public and market experts as direct interference in the pricing process. Criticisms on social networks and expert opinions are based on several key points. Firstly, according to the basic principles of a market economy, the concept of "overpriced" is considered incorrect for private property. The right to determine the value of an asset belongs solely to its owner, and the final price is formed as a result of negotiations between the seller and the buyer. Secondly, special attention was given to the commercial aspect of renovation projects. Builders investing in the project aim to demolish low-rise buildings and construct multi-story residential complexes in their place. Within the framework of this business model, purchasing existing apartments is not a social obligation but rather an investment cost included in the project value. Therefore, regulating the purchase price administratively is viewed as providing unjustified advantages to builders and limiting the interests of property owners. As public discussions intensified, the ministry provided clarification. The official statement emphasized that the Deputy Minister's words were made during the discussion of the draft law on "Renovation." Currently, this draft law is being improved and negotiated with representatives of broad layers of society, especially prioritizing the interests of the population. Ministry representatives specifically noted that the implementation of renovation projects should be based solely on mutual agreements between builders and homeowners. At the same time, it was stated that the principle of voluntary transactions must be adhered to, and coercion or circumvention of owners' rights is not permissible. Furthermore, the situation that has arisen indicates a lack of trust in the renovation program. The public reacts sharply to any statements directed at pressuring property owners by official figures. For the program to be successfully implemented, authorities and builders must ensure maximum transparency and communicate in a spirit of cooperation with citizens. In the world, there are two main compensation models in the practice of compulsory property acquisition for public needs. The first is "fair market value," which reflects the current market price of the object. The second is "equivalent replacement value," which covers the costs of acquiring a property with similar characteristics in the area, even if this amount exceeds the market price of the old object. The choice of this valuation model is a major cause of social conflicts.

According to the press service of the Department under the Prosecutor General's Office, a teacher from a higher education institution has been arrested. This was reported by Upl.uz. During a special operation conducted in cooperation with the staff of the regional department of the Department under the Prosecutor General's Office, the National Security Service, and the internal affairs bodies, a teacher from Karakalpak State University was apprehended. He received a total of 18.3 million soums in exchange for helping 17 students to achieve good grades in exams. According to the plan, the teacher aimed to carry out this task with the help of acquaintances. A criminal case has been initiated regarding this incident based on the articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on "Fraud" and "Assisting Bribery". Currently, investigative actions are ongoing. It is emphasized that this case is of significant importance in the fight against violations in the education sector. Relevant authorities will continue to take strict measures against such cases.

From January to May 2025, more than 2.7 million citizens of Uzbekistan traveled abroad. This was reported by Upl.uz. This information is based on data from the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Compared to the same period last year, the number of travelers increased by 574,100 people or 26.4 percent. Analysis shows that most travelers chose nearby foreign countries. During these five months, the statistics for Uzbek citizens traveling abroad are as follows: 1,189,793 people to Kyrgyzstan, 501,657 people to Tajikistan, 468,208 people to Kazakhstan, 145,262 people to Saudi Arabia, 124,829 people to Russia, 88,648 people to Turkey, 71,352 people to the UAE, 30,479 people to Egypt, 16,555 people to Thailand, 15,802 people to Vietnam, and a total of 93,253 people to other countries. This data indicates that Uzbek citizens primarily travel more to neighboring and nearby foreign countries. The increase in travel reflects the expanded opportunities for citizens to travel abroad and a growing interest in travel.

According to the latest data published by the Numbeo analytical portal, Uzbekistan ranked 25th in the list of the safest countries in the world in 2025. This was reported by Upl.uz. Numbeo forms its safety index and crime index based on user surveys. Survey participants assess the level of crime, safety conditions at different times of the day, the risk of encountering various crimes such as theft, assault, and disturbances, as well as the severity of property and personal crimes. The safety index ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher index indicating a safer country. Uzbekistan's safety index is 73.4, indicating a high level of safety. The crime index is 26.6, which indicates a low level of crime. Among Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan ranks 73rd with a safety index of 54.4. Kyrgyzstan is in 101st place with an index of 48. The United Arab Emirates ranks first in the list of the safest countries in the world. Following them, Andorra is in second place, and Qatar is in third place. Haiti, Papua New Guinea, and Venezuela are recognized as the most dangerous countries. It is worth noting that this data is not official state statistics but is based on the personal opinions and experiences of survey participants. Therefore, it is important to consider that this ranking is a subjective assessment.

From January to May 2025, the volume of real estate services in Uzbekistan reached 9.8 trillion soums. This was reported by Upl.uz. This information is taken from the official data of the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Compared to the same period last year, this indicator has increased by 11.9 percent. Interestingly, a large portion of real estate services, namely 94.6 percent, is primarily related to property rental and the management of owned or rented properties. Additionally, services for buying and selling real estate account for only 2.7 percent of the total volume. Management services for real estate on a fee basis or through contracts account for 1.8 percent, while agency services make up 0.9 percent. These figures provide a clear understanding of the composition and shares of services in the sector.

Legal and accounting services in Uzbekistan are significantly growing. This was reported by Upl.uz. This information is based on data from the Republic State Statistics Committee. From January to May 2025, the volume of market services provided in the field of legal and accounting services reached 1 trillion 56 billion 500 million soums. This figure represents a 15.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, which translates to an increase of 257 billion 500 million soums. The largest share corresponds to services related to the preparation of calculations, accounting maintenance, financial audits, and tax consulting. The total volume of these services amounts to 738 billion 200 million soums, accounting for 69.9 percent of the total volume of services in the field of legal and accounting. These figures indicate a growing demand and confidence in these sectors in the country. At the same time, the development of these services contributes to economic stability and the improvement of the business environment. Efforts to enhance the quality of legal and financial services in Uzbekistan are ongoing.

From January to May 2025, significant growth was observed in the construction sector in Uzbekistan. This was reported by Upl.uz. This is confirmed by the data from the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 72.2 percent of total construction work, that is, 66.1 trillion soums, was directed towards new construction, reconstruction, expansion, and technical re-equipment. The volume of new construction work has been steadily increasing in recent years. In 2022, this figure was 32.6 trillion soums, in 2023 it was 37.1 trillion soums, and in 2024 it reached 57.9 trillion soums. In the first five months of 2025, the volume of new construction work reached 66.1 trillion soums. This data indicates the increasing activity and investments in the construction sector and contributes to the stable growth of the country's economy.

A rarely used method was applied in the judicial practice of collecting a large child support debt in the Zomin district of the Jizzakh region. This was reported by Upl.uz. As a result of the intervention of the debtor's mother, it became possible to avoid the enforcement measures of state authorities and additional court proceedings. This situation is related to a citizen who had not paid the established child support for a long time to provide for his minor child, despite the court ruling. Due to his failure to fulfill his obligations, the debt amount reached approximately 20 million soums. Accordingly, the district's Main Enforcement Bureau staff began enforcement proceedings to collect the debt legally. The situation took an unexpected turn when the debtor's mother became aware of the intention to initiate compulsory collection measures. The elderly woman decided to take the money she had saved from her pension and assume the debt herself. She voluntarily gave the full amount of the debt to the bureau's staff. Bureau representatives noted that the debt was paid voluntarily. The paid amount was quickly transferred to the plastic card of the child's mother. According to the enforcement bureau, the pensioner made her decision to ensure her grandson's well-being and maintain family peace. This action led to the suspension of enforcement proceedings against the debtor. According to the Family Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, failing to pay child support for minors for more than two months can lead to not only administrative but also criminal liability. Among these penalties, community service or imprisonment is envisaged

The press service of the Prosecutor General's Office has released information. This was reported by Upl.uz. On July 16 of this year, a fire occurred at a car fuel filling station in the Qovqad district of the Kashkadarya region. Firefighting services extinguished the fire in about an hour, but unfortunately, there were casualties. As a result of the incident, four citizens lost their lives. A criminal case has been initiated under the articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan for "Abuse of authority" and "Violation of fire safety rules". Currently, the scale of the fire and the amount of material damage are being determined. Specialists from various agencies are participating in the investigation activities. The relevant authorities are taking necessary measures to identify all the causes and consequences of the incident. Additional inspections are being conducted to ensure citizen safety and to prevent such incidents in the future.

According to the press service of Uzenergoinspektsiya, the activities of the private "A.A.K" gas station located in the Angor district were inspected by the staff of the Surkhandarya regional department. This was reported by Upl.uz. During the inspection, specialists took samples of AI-92 gasoline and diesel fuel, which were sent for laboratory analysis. The laboratory results revealed that the fuel quality did not meet state standards. As a result, a financial penalty was imposed on this gas station. The total amount of the fine amounted to 16.4 million soums. In addition, the management of the enterprise was instructed to prohibit the sale of substandard petroleum products and to restore fuel quality. These measures were implemented to improve the quality of the fuel market and protect consumer interests.

According to the press service of the Department under the Prosecutor General's Office, individuals related to a fraud-related crime have been detained. This was reported by Upl.uz. Special operational measures were carried out by the staff of the Shirin city department. During the operation, several citizens were detained. They had previously received an advance of 20 million soums. In total, they promised to assist two citizens in obtaining preferential loans for 40 million soums. Their service fee constituted 10 percent of the loan amount. A criminal case has been initiated under the article "Fraud" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding this incident. Currently, investigative actions are ongoing. All necessary measures are being taken regarding this case, and the criminals will be held accountable before the law. Citizens are advised to be cautious regarding fraud cases.

The case of energy theft has been confirmed, reports the press service of the Ministry of Energy. This was reported by Upl.uz. Control measures to identify cases of illegal electricity consumption were carried out by employees of the "Energosavdo" branch of the regional electric networks joint-stock company. During the inspection, it was found that electricity was illegally used by a farm located in the Kasbi district of Kashkadarya region. The owner of this farm used faulty equipment to connect to the power lines and did not sign a contract with the energy supply organization. According to preliminary estimates, the amount of damage caused is 2 billion 917 million 80 thousand soums. The collected documents have been submitted to law enforcement agencies. Currently, initial investigative actions are being conducted.

The press service of the Tashkent city Emergency Situations Department provided information. This was reported by Upl.uz. On July 17, around 01:30, a report was received by the Tashkent city Emergency Situations Department about a fire at a transformer substation. The incident occurred in the Mirzo Ulughbek district of the capital, on Avaykhon Street. Within 6 minutes, emergency personnel arrived at the scene and began to combat the fire. Due to the effective firefighting efforts, the fire was completely extinguished by 02:06. The causes of the fire are currently being investigated. There are no reported injuries.

On July 16, the press service of the Hokimiyat of the Khojayli district in Karakalpakstan announced the closure of all preschool educational institutions from July 16 to 18 due to hot weather. This was reported by Upl.uz. Additionally, the activities of kindergartens in the Tahiyatash and Karaozak districts have been temporarily suspended. It is worth noting that extremely hot weather is expected in Uzbekistan from July 17 to 19. From July 18 to 20, temperatures are expected to rise to 40-43 degrees, while in southern and desert areas, it may reach 44-45 degrees. Medical specialists recommend that the population, especially in the first half of the day, avoid going outside unless necessary. Moreover, it is important to drink more fluids and refrain from fatty foods. These recommendations are essential for health and protection from the heat.

The State Tax Committee's press service has announced information. This was reported by Upl.uz. As of the end of June this year, a total of 54,401 applications were received from citizens of Uzbekistan through the "Tax" mobile application in the "Tax Partner" section. These applications include cases of violations that occurred in relation to entrepreneurs. The applications were distributed by types of violations as follows: 49,015 for not issuing fiscal checks, 1,898 for rejecting payments via bank cards, 126 for deliberately inflating product prices in payments with bank cards, and 3,362 for other types of violations. Of the received applications, 26,155 were rejected for various reasons, including being resubmitted or due to an ongoing inspection of the business entity. In the remaining 24,762 cases, facts of violations were confirmed, and applicants were awarded a cash prize amounting to 20 percent of the fine amount. The total payment amount reached 17.7 billion soums. These measures are aimed at protecting citizens' rights and reducing violations in entrepreneurial activities

The sale of duty-free electronic cigarettes has been halted in Tashkent city. This was reported by Upl.uz. The press service of the Department under the Prosecutor General's Office reported this. During an operation conducted by the Yashnobod district department staff, a person attempting to sell 365 units of "Loco" brand electronic cigarettes for 61 million soums was apprehended. It was determined that these products did not have duty stamps, confirming that they were illegally imported into the territory of Uzbekistan. A criminal case has been initiated under the article of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding the "Illegal circulation or production of ethanol spirits, alcohol, and tobacco products." Law enforcement agencies are continuously working to prevent such cases and identify violations. Citizens are advised to purchase products that are legally certified.

According to the press service of the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 10,000 Japanese citizens visited Uzbekistan in the first five months of this year. This was reported by Upl.uz. Compared to the same period last year, this figure has increased by 3,500 people or 53.2 percent. These numbers are compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. The purposes of Japanese citizens visiting Uzbekistan are distributed as follows: 8,950 people for tourism, 751 people for visiting relatives, 286 people for business trips, 36 people for education, and 1 person related to entrepreneurial activities. This information is crucial for identifying the main purposes of foreign guests coming to Uzbekistan.

The press service of the Andijan region's internal affairs department has identified the organization of illegal activities. This was reported by Upl.uz. From July 15 to August 15, 2024, the second phase of preventive measures titled "Safe and Healthy Country" is being conducted in Uzbekistan. Within the framework of this program, internal affairs officials are implementing extensive operational and preventive measures aimed at reducing the level of crime. During the events, a citizen born in 1964, residing in the Pakhtaobod district of Andijan region, was found to have organized gambling in his home. He gathered a group of several people and created all the necessary conditions for conducting gambling games. During the operational event, $1,400, 6,000 Kyrgyz soms, 6,401,000 soums, and various items necessary for gambling were found in this person's home. A criminal case has been initiated under part 1 of the article "Organization and conduct of gambling" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding this case. The person involved in criminal activities may face up to 7 years of imprisonment

According to the press service of the Department under the Prosecutor General's Office, individuals engaged in illegal foreign currency exchange have been detained. This was reported by Upl.uz. During a special operational event conducted in cooperation with the staff of the Khorezm regional department and law enforcement agencies, two citizens were caught while illegally purchasing 12,000 US dollars for 151.2 million soums. Additionally, two more citizens were detained in Urgench while attempting to purchase 4,700 dollars for 48.9 million soums. In the Khazarasp district, two individuals were also identified and detained for illegally purchasing 3,700 dollars for 43.3 million soums. A similar operation was conducted in the Kashkadarya region, where a previously convicted man was detained for purchasing 4,000 dollars for 50.4 million soums. Criminal cases have been initiated regarding all these incidents under the article of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan concerning "Illegal purchase or sale of currency values." These measures are being implemented to ensure the rule of law and prevent illegal activities in currency trading. Law enforcement agencies will continue to take action against such crimes.