Two men sentenced to prison for attempting to incite public disorder in Chinaz

Two residents of Chinaz district in Tashkent region have been sentenced for attempting to organize public disorder, the regional court press service reported. Kun.uz reviewed the court verdict.

According to the verdict, 33-year-old A.O. and 40-year-old B.Sh., both residents of Chinaz district, conspired to incite public unrest on 4 March 2025. The day before, on 3 March, A.O. posted a video message in a Telegram group calling on people not to go to the methane refueling station but instead to block the M-39 Tashkent–Termiz highway. He said that if people did so, responsible officials would come and reopen the gas station for vehicles.

On 4 March at around 11:40 a.m., the two men arrived at the methane refueling station near the Central mahalla section of the M-39 highway in Chinaz district. There, they attempted to block the road to trigger public unrest, urging drivers waiting in line to join them. They then forced a driver identified as Sh.M., who was waiting to refuel his HOWO truck, to block the road with his vehicle.

As a result, A.O. and B.Sh. obstructed the traffic in the Tashkent-bound direction of the Tashkent–Termiz highway, causing congestion and a crowd to form. A.O. filmed the scene on his phone and shared the footage in a Telegram group.

In addition, A.O. was charged with defamation and with preparing, storing, distributing, or displaying materials posing a threat to public safety and public order.

During the trial, A.O. partially admitted guilt but denied calling for mass disorder or instructing the truck driver to block the road. He said he was the sole breadwinner in his family and asked the court for leniency. B.Sh. gave similar testimony.

By a ruling of the Akhangaran District Criminal Court on 13 October 2025, A.O. was found guilty under Article 140 (Insult), Part 3(a); Article 244-1 (Preparation, storage, distribution, or display of materials threatening public safety and order), Part 3(g); and Article 244 (Public disorder), Part 2(a, b) of the Criminal Code. He was sentenced to 5 years and 6 months in prison.

B.Sh. was convicted under Article 244, Part 2(a, b) of the Criminal Code and sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison.