Blogger who spread false information about Surkhandarya khokim’s death fined, her phone confiscated

On July 24, rumors went viral on social networks that the khokim of the Surkhandarya region Tura Bobolov, who was being treated for coronavirus in Tashkent, had died. The regional administration denied rumors and released a video message saying that Bobolov was in good health.

According to the information service of the Surkhandarya regional administration, the situation was quickly monitored by the regional prosecutor’s office, and a pre-investigative check was launched before the investigation. It was found that the rumors were spread on the “Haqiqatchi blogerlar” (“True bloggers”) Telegram channel.

As it turned out, the Telegram channel was managed by D. O., a doctor-cardiologist of the emergency department at the Sariosiyo district medical association. The 49-year-old woman also works as a treating physician at a clinic in the Shargun city, Sariosiyo district.

“During the inspection, citizen D. O. said that she received the message from an employee of the regional Sanitary-Epidemiological Wellbeing Center (SEWC), but she did not mention the woman’s name.

D. O. posted the false (distorted) information on her Facebook and Telegram pages.

The documents collected during the investigation were sent to the Uzun district administrative court on July 24, 2020. An administrative case had been initiated against D. O. under articles 40 (slander) and 46 (disclosure of information that may cause moral or material damage to a citizen) of the Administrative Responsibility Code. She was imposed a fine of 10 BCAs.

The woman’s mobile phone seized as evidence in the case was confiscated in favor of the state as a tool for committing an administrative offense.

Investigations continued and an unidentified woman – an employee of the Termez city SEWC G. R. was found. In her explanation, G. R. said that she had told D. O. this false message.

On this fact, an administrative case was initiated against G. R. under Article 40 of the Administrative Responsibility Code (defamation) and all documents were forwarded to the relevant court.

Freedom of speech is constitutionally guaranteed, but it must not harm the rights and interests of others, which are protected by law,” the regional administration said.

On July 24, after an official denial was issued and the khokim’s address was also published, the false information was deleted. The blogger apologized for her actions.