Court ends case against Otabek Bakirov

Tashkent court has terminated an administrative case against blogger and economist Otabek Bakirov after the statute of limitations expired.

Photo: Frames from the video

The complaint seeking to hold Bakirov administratively liable was filed by the Minister of Energy, Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov.

The decision was announced during a hearing at Tashkent’s Yashnabad District Court, according to a Kun.uz correspondent present at the session.

Under the Code on Administrative Responsibility, administrative penalties cannot be imposed more than one year after an alleged offense is committed. The code also requires proceedings to be terminated if the limitation period has expired by the time a case is reviewed.

The case was linked to Bakirov’s criticism of the Auto24 application, which provides information on the operating hours of methane filling stations, as well as posts published on his Telegram channel concerning issues in Uzbekistan’s energy sector.

Bakirov is a prominent Uzbek economist and commentator known for his coverage of economic reforms and the energy sector. He has a large social media following and co-hosts the “Lolazor” podcast.