Anti-Corruption Agency calls for action against Culture Minister Ozodbek Nazarbekov

The act of Culture Minister Ozodbek Nazarbekov singing at a wedding and accepting money placed into his hands constitutes a violation of legislation governing public service and ethical conduct. This was stated in the Anti-Corruption Agency’s response to an inquiry from Kun.uz regarding the incident.

The agency recalled that Article 13 of the Law “On State Civil Service,” as well as Clause 13 of the Model Rules of Ethics for State Civil Servants approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 595, stipulate that a state civil servant is not entitled to engage in any other paid activity except for pedagogical, scientific, and creative work.

In addition, under Clause 3 of the Model Rules of Ethics for State Civil Servants, public servants are required, both during working hours and outside of work, to refrain from actions that could undermine the reputation of the civil service and to consistently comply with moral and ethical standards.

According to Clause 7 of the same rules, it is stipulated that a state civil servant must take measures to avoid public criticism arising from their behavior and conduct, and must use well-founded and constructive criticism to eliminate shortcomings and deficiencies in their activities.

At the same time, Clause 29 of these rules stipulates that failure by state civil servants to comply with the Rules of Ethics constitutes grounds for applying moral and disciplinary measures against them.

In light of the circumstances outlined above, the agency sent a formal request to the Cabinet of Ministers to consider the issue of holding Minister Ozodbek Nazarbekov disciplinarily liable and issuing him a strict warning regarding the need to comply with legislative requirements in the future.

It was also stated that any future actions by public servants that run counter to the Rules of Ethics will be subject to regular monitoring by the agency.

What exactly happened?

In early January, a video circulated on social media showing Culture Minister Ozodbek Nazarbekov performing a song at a wedding and accepting money placed into his hands.

The video sparked widespread discussion among social media users. Some argued that Ozodbek Nazarbekov is an artist by profession and therefore should continue singing at weddings and events and giving concerts among his fans. At the same time, many emphasized that it is inappropriate for him, as a minister, to earn income from weddings.

It later emerged that the incident took place at the wedding of the son of People’s Artist of Uzbekistan Yahyobek Muminov. That wedding, held in October, was attended not only by the minister but also by many well-known singers and artists – Yulduz Usmonova, Zohirshoh Jurayev, Jahongir Poziljonov, Dilnoza Kubayeva, Rihsitilla Abdullayev, Elmurod Islomov, and others.

Ministry’s explanation

According to the press service of the Ministry of Culture, the incident shown in the videos occurred on October 25, 2025, at the wedding ceremony of a ministry employee. The head of the ministry’s press service, Sirojiddin Usarov, noted that such practices of placing money into performers’ hands have, for centuries, been considered a national custom and an expression of personal aspirations and goodwill.

“The video shows fans handing money to Minister Ozodbek Nazarbekov. At the same time, it is evident that the minister did not plan this situation in advance, and that, given the circumstances, refusing the citizens’ wishes could have placed them in an awkward position in public and might have been incorrectly interpreted as humiliation or disregard. Taking this into account, a positive response to the situation can be observed.

“Handing money to singers at wedding ceremonies, or refraining from doing so, is not prohibited by current legislation and is considered part of national traditions and values that have developed among our people over centuries. In Uzbek traditions, such practices are recognized as expression of aspiration and goodwill,” the statement said.

The explanation also emphasized that Ozodbek Nazarbekov is not only the Minister of Culture, but also a well-known Uzbek singer, a People’s Artist of Uzbekistan, Karakalpakstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as a Merited Cultural Worker of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Given that his professional activity is directly connected with national singing art, the situation observed at the wedding ceremony should be assessed as one related to the minister’s professional activity.

“In conclusion, it should be emphasized that every person, regardless of the position they hold, cannot completely separate from their chosen profession. This situation stems precisely from that perspective,” the statement said.

It should be recalled that in 2024, Ozodbek Nazarbekov also became the subject of public debate after appearing in an advertisement for a men’s clothing store. At that time, the Ministry of Culture’s press service stated that he did not pursue any material benefit by participating in the advertisement.

In addition, in 2025, Ozodbek Nazarbekov appeared in an advertisement for a private university. In its explanation regarding that case, the ministry’s information service emphasized that the minister’s recommendations in the video constituted “socially beneficial information” and were “not aimed at generating income.”