‘Real Sanjik’ faces trial over fraud, threats, and drug charges

Upon completion of the investigation, the case was sent to the Mirzo Ulugbek District Criminal Court in Tashkent for review. Judge Bakhrom Berdiev will oversee the case, with the first hearing set for April 10, 2026.

Karimov is charged under several articles of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, including making threats to kill or use violence, large-scale fraud, and the illegal preparation, acquisition, storage, and distribution of narcotic or psychotropic substances with the intent to sell.

The case involves two listed victims, who may be connected to a separate criminal case involving Shahzod Rismatov.

The case is linked to a dispute described locally as involving a “fugitive groom” and a “deceived bride”. A Tashkent resident, Jamila Olimboeva, had accused her partner, Rismatov, of fraud, alleging that he deceived her into transferring ownership of her house to Karimov and borrowed money from him in return.

Karimov denies any wrongdoing, stating he bought the house from its owners for $240,000 in cash.

“I have nothing to do with this conflict. I bought the house with my own money. If their business failed, what does that have to do with me? I paid $240,000. I bought the house intending to help them,” he said.

In November 2025, following an open trial, the Mirzo Ulugbek District Criminal Court found Rismatov guilty of large-scale fraud and sentenced him to nine years in prison. This conviction preceded the investigation into Karimov’s role in the alleged fraud.

After Rismatov’s sentencing, the judge issued a separate ruling instructing prosecutors to examine Karimov’s possible involvement in the fraud and assess the legality of his actions.

On November 28, 2025, as a result of these investigations, Karimov was placed in pretrial detention by a ruling of the Mirabad District Criminal Court.