Second hearing in Mubashshir Ahmad trial adjourned until September 15

During the open hearing, two experts who had provided political and theological assessments of the case materials testified before the court.

The session, held on 8 September at the Uchtepa District Court of Criminal Cases in Tashkent, lasted for more than two hours. Dozens of citizens attended the open hearing, according to a Kun.uz correspondent present at the trial.

The case is being heard under presiding judge Bobur Rahimov, with Erkin Narzullaev, deputy prosecutor of Uchtepa district, representing the prosecution. The defense team is led by lawyer Abdulloh Sodiqov.

At the second hearing, experts who had given their conclusions at the request of investigators regarding materials posted by Tursunov on social media appeared in court. Professor Odil Musaev, a political scientist from Renaissance University, provided political assessments of the materials, while Shahboz Nizomov, a specialist from the Religious Committee’s Department of Theological Expertise, evaluated them from a religious perspective.

After the exchange between experts and the defense team, the second hearing concluded, and the court announced a recess until 15 September.

What happened during the first hearing?

Alisher Tursunov faces charges under three articles of the Criminal Code:

• Article 244-3: Illegal preparation, storage, import, or distribution of materials of a religious nature;

• Article 244-1: Preparation, storage, distribution, or display of materials threatening public security and public order;

• Article 156: Incitement of national, racial, ethnic, or religious enmity.

At the 19 August hearing, Tursunov admitted to distributing religious materials without the authorization of the Committee on Religious Affairs but argued that it was done while he was outside Uzbekistan. He denied the charges under the other two articles.

At the request of the prosecutor, the judge prohibited audio, photo, and video recording of the proceedings. However, the trial remains open to the media and public observers.

For reference, 51-year-old Alisher Tursunov is active in the Uzbek segment of social media. The religious scholar is the author of several Islamic books and was involved in educational projects in Uzbekistan, including Azon.uz and Azon TV.

He had been residing in Turkey for several years before being detained in Istanbul on 8 May and deported to Uzbekistan on 10 May.