Uzbekistan’s court rules against "Ozodlik" Radio in defamation case, orders retraction and compensation

Entrepreneur Tukhtakhoja Anvarkhojaev, who owns a 50% stake in Ultimo Group Limited LLC, a company engaged in the wholesale trade of gas resources, filed the lawsuit in April 2024 against the Uzbek editorial team of "Ozodlik" Radio and its journalist Lazizkhon Olimov (Aziz Nur), Gazeta.uz reported.

The case was reviewed in the Shaykhontokhur Interdistrict Civil Court under the chairmanship of Judge A. Rajabov. The open court session, held on July 12, was attended by the plaintiff's lawyer, Davronbek Akhmatov, and two employees of "Uztransgaz" JSC, who were involved as third parties.

At the next court session on July 19, representatives of "Uztransgaz" confirmed that Ultimo Group Limited had sold Turkmen gas to "Qizilqumsement." It was noted that the "Uztransgaz" infrastructure of main gas pipelines was used for delivery, with only a "transportation contract" being signed.

According to a representative of the gas transport company, "Uztransgaz" is considered a natural monopoly entity, so "it is impossible to refuse to sign a gas transportation contract, but technological capabilities must be considered."

He also explained that transportation tariffs are approved by the Intergovernmental Tariff Commission under the Cabinet of Ministers, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Kuchkorov.

Additionally, he pointed out that a gas shortage occurred during the autumn-winter season of 2021 due to the launch of many industrial enterprises and a 30-40% increase in construction volumes in recent years. The representative of "Uztransgaz" noted that cement plants were halted due to gas shortages in winter, but "Qizilqumsement" had obligations to the initiators of the Tashkent City project, which required raw materials for implementation. Penalties were stipulated if the supply was interrupted.

He also reminded that "Qizilqumsement" bought gas from Ultimo Group Limited for 1,000 UZS per cubic meter, which was the same rate applicable to third-category consumers.

The expert further emphasized that "Uztransgaz" did not pay Ultimo Group Limited for gas imports.

At the final meeting on July 29, linguists, graduate, and doctoral students in philology, literature, and Uzbek language studies participated, evaluating the opinions expressed in the investigation.

They assessed words such as "phantom," "middleman," "hidden activities," and others, as well as the context. The plaintiff also presented a conclusion from the Center for Teaching and Improving Qualifications in the State Language at the Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature, indicating that the above and other episodes negatively affected the company's business reputation, and the founder's honor and dignity.

In conclusion, the court, under the chairmanship of A. Rajabov, decided to satisfy the claim of Ultimo Group Limited and Tukhtakhoja Anvarkhojaev, ordering "Ozodlik" Radio to publish a retraction and pay 100 million UZS in compensation for moral damages.

For reference, Ultimo Group Limited was established on March 10, 2021, and a month later signed a contract worth 315 billion UZS (nearly $30 million at the exchange rate at that time) with "Qizilqumsement."