Sanjar Karimov expresses readiness to return disputed house in fraud and drug trial

The Mirzo Ulugbek District Criminal Court held a subsequent hearing in the criminal case involving Sanjar Karimov, a social media figure known as "Real Sanjik." During the proceedings, the defendant and his legal team expressed a willingness to return a disputed house to the Olimboev family, which has been a central point of contention in the ongoing legal battle.

According to a report from a Kun.uz correspondent present in the courtroom, the defense presented legal arguments challenging the legitimacy of certain actions taken by law enforcement during a raid on Karimov’s home and office. Following these arguments, the court heard testimonies from officers of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Internal Affairs bodies who participated in the operation.

Karimov addressed the drug charges against him, stating that the illegal substances found during the search were related to his late father’s medical condition. He explained that his father suffered from dementia and used medications prescribed by doctors. Karimov asserted that he had not purchased the substances from anyone, claiming they were discovered in his father’s coat. He further noted that he had provided two years’ worth of medical records to investigators as evidence of his father’s illness.

Upon questioning by the judge, the defendant admitted to consuming drugs on one or two occasions following his father’s death. However, he maintained that he was never involved in the illegal sale or distribution of prohibited substances.

At the conclusion of the session, Karimov and his lawyers formally mentioned their readiness to return the property involved in the Olimboev case to its original owners. Karimov is currently facing several charges, including fraud, narcotics offenses, and threats of murder or violence. During the initial hearing of the trial, he had pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The court has announced a recess and is scheduled to resume proceedings on April 27.