Former imam Odilkhon Ismoilov detained

The case was heard on 21 January 2026 and involves six defendants suspected of committing a series of economic crimes. Among them is Odilkhon Ismoilov, against whom investigators have brought charges under eight articles of the Criminal Code.

The charges include large-scale embezzlement committed by an organized group, false entrepreneurship, tax evasion, violations of trade and service regulations, official forgery, illegal acquisition and destruction of documents and state vehicle registration plates, as well as the production, falsification, sale and use of forged documents, stamps, seals and forms.

The Supreme Court’s press service confirmed that precautionary measures have been imposed on the defendants. Five individuals, including Ismoilov, have been remanded in custody, while one defendant has been released under bail. The case is being heard in an open court session chaired by Judge Adolat Khojaeva. Bezhod Ahmedov and Golibjon Orinboev have been recognized as victims in the proceedings.

Court officials said additional information would be provided following the conclusion of the trial.

Odilkhon Ismoilov, 49, is a well-known religious preacher who gained prominence in the Uzbek-language social media space over the past two decades. He began his religious career in 1998–1999 as imam-khatib at the Hazrati Umar mosque in Tashkent’s Uchtepa district, later serving as deputy imam at the Sheikh Zayniddin mosque in Shaykhontohur district.

From 2010, he held the position of deputy chief imam-khatib of Tashkent, and between 2011 and mid-2018 served as chief imam-khatib of Shaykhontohur district and imam of the Sheikh Zayniddin mosque. In July 2018, he was dismissed from his post by the late Mufti Usmonkhon Alimov, reportedly for disseminating unverified information online and due to health-related issues.

After leaving his post, Ismoilov headed the religious and educational outreach department of the Waqf charitable foundation under the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan. In February 2019, he was appointed imam-khatib of the Khoja Alambardor mosque, commonly known as Kamolon mosque, but stepped down voluntarily in September of the same year due to health concerns. He has not held an official position within the Muslim Board since then.

According to the Supreme Court, Ismoilov was born in Namangan region and is the founder of the “Rayhon” family restaurant, a business entity cited in the case materials.