20.01.2025
Uzbek authorities must initiate an investigation into allegations of torture against convict Abdullaev Nozimjon Bakhodirovich during his pre-trial detention by the State Security Service of Uzbekistan and bring those responsible to justice, a group of human rights organizations said in a statement today. Uzbek authorities must also ensure that Abdullaev receives appropriate treatment at a specialized medical facility.
The group includes The Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan “Ezgulik”, Freedom For Eurasia, and Uzbek Forum for Human Rights.
Nozimjon Abdullaev, the former head of the State Inspection under the Ministry of Ecology, has accused the State Security Service of Uzbekistan of subjecting him to physical and psychological torture. In a letter shared with the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and addressed to the President of Uzbekistan, Abdullaev alleges that he was beaten by security service personnel and that his nails were pulled out with pliers in an attempt to extract false testimony against high-ranking officials.
On 24 January 2025, Abdullaev was forcibly taken by officers of the State Security Service of Uzbekistan, together with the “Burgut” (Eagle) special unit, from the “Toshshaharsuv” building located in Mirabad District to the Investigative Department of the State Security Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan. There, he was informed that he was being charged under Article 157 (Treason) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Abdullaev spent six months in the pre-trial detention facility of the State Security Service. He reported that psychological pressure and torture continued until 31 January 2025 and stated that he was also threatened with death.
Torture in Uzbekistan is expressly prohibited under Article 235 of the Criminal Code (“The use of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment”), which provides for a penalty of up to ten years imprisonment, together with the deprivation of a specific right. Torture is further prohibited under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which Uzbekistan ratified in 1995.
Bakhodir Abdullaev, the father of Nozimjon Abdullaev, denies the official charges and insists that his son did not have access to state secrets and therefore could not be accused under Article 157 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Abdullaev’s trial was held behind closed doors, and the criminal case materials were classified.
Abdullaev was suspected of involvement in the publication of an article (which was later removed) by the independent media outlet “ElTuz” containing allegations of corruption against the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan.
While in pre-trial detention and handcuffed, Abdullaev was offered a “deal” by Officer Ganchar Uzaqov. Under the proposed arrangement, Abdullaev was required to confess on camera that he was responsible for an article published by ElTuz and to provide false testimony against Komil Allamjonov, a representative of the Presidential Administration in the United States, and Aziz Abdukhakimov, Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, alleging that they had paid USD 250,000 for the article. Abdullaev refused.
On June 23, 2025, the Military Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan found Abdullaev guilty on five counts under the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, including Article 157 (Treason) and Article 141, Part 1 (Violation of Privacy), and sentenced him to 15 years in prison.
Nozimjon Abdullaev denied all charges against him. Qudrat Bobojonov, the editor-in-chief of the independent outlet ElTuz, also denied the allegations that Abdullaev had cooperated with the outlet in an interview with Ozodlik Radiosi (RFE/RL).
Nozimjon Abdullaev’s health condition is a cause for serious concern. He has type 2 diabetes and requires regular medication. However, state security officials have reportedly withheld medicines delivered by his relatives to exert additional pressure on him. According to Abdurakhman Tashanov, head of the human rights organization “Ezgulik,” the lack of medication has resulted in the development of gangrene in his legs.
As stated by Tashanov, Nozimjon Abdullaev is eligible for release pursuant to Decision No. 1854 of 9 September 2008 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, entitled “On the Approval of the Rules for Conducting Medical Examinations of Prisoners Suffering from Serious Illnesses and for Submitting Them for Release from Serving a Sentence Due to Illness.” Type 2 diabetes is included in Annex 1 to the Decision, entitled “List of Diseases Constituting Grounds for Submitting Convicted Persons for Release from Serving a Sentence Due to Illness.”
We call on the Uzbek authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations of torture and to bring those responsible to justice. Furthermore, Nozimjon Abdullaev must be provided with adequate, specialized medical treatment for his diabetes, and the security services must refrain from withholding the medications required for his treatment.