Detainee dies after interrogation by DIA operatives in Tashkent region

On June 3, a resident of the Yukorichirchik district, U.S. (born in 1987), within the framework of a criminal case initiated under Article 169-3 of the Criminal Code (Theft), was interrogated in the investigation room of the Buka district DIA of Tashkent region in the presence of defense counsel Yuldasheva Kh. with a full video recording of what was happening, the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.

At 19:00 the suspect U.S. was detained in a procedural manner under Article 227 of the Criminal Code and placed in a temporary detention center for citizens of the Buka district department of internal affairs.

On the same day at 23:30, the health of U.S. deteriorated and an ambulance was called. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, the man died in the hospital.

In connection with the current situation, a working group consisting of Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Y. Abdulkhakov, employees of the MIA Internal Security Service, employees of the regional prosecutor’s office arrived at the scene, examined the scene and received testimony from employees related to the case.

It turned out that on June 3, at about 22:00, the suspect U.S., in violation of procedural norms, was taken by operatives of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Buka district DIA to an office, and not to a special interrogation room, where an inquiry was held about his involvement in another crime. At the same time, the citizen’s health deteriorated, and later he died.

According to the diagnosis of the appointed primary forensic medical examination, it was established that there were bodily injuries on the detainee’s body.

The prosecutor’s office of the Tashkent region initiated a criminal case under Article 235-3 of the Criminal Code (Use of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment), operatives J.D. and G.Sh., involved in the incident, were taken into custody.

In order to ensure an impartial investigation, by order of the Minister of Internal Affairs, the head of the Buka district DIA A. Babakhanov, his first deputy V. Khudaykulov, the head of the criminal investigation department J. Subanov, the head of the investigative department J. Achilov, as well as the officer on duty Sh. Ibragimov were relieved of their posts for an irresponsible approach to the performance of their official duties.

In addition, operatives J.D. and G.Sh., involved in this negative situation, were dismissed from the system of internal affairs bodies.

Along with this, an internal audit was appointed in relation to the actions of employees of the central office of the Ministry and responsible managers and other employees of the Central Internal Affairs Directorate of the Tashkent region.

In accordance with the law, taking into account the fact that the legal assessment of the illegal actions of employees of the internal affairs bodies is carried out by the prosecutor’s office, all case materials are submitted to the prosecutor's office in full.

It is emphasized that the Ministry of Internal Affairs bears full responsibility for ensuring the inviolability of human dignity and personality. Torture, violence or other inhuman treatment of a person is strongly condemned by the Ministry, and all employees who commit them will be held strictly accountable before the law.

Currently, the MIA and the leadership of the Central Internal Affairs Directorate of the Tashkent region are working with the relatives of the deceased and helping them in solving social issues.