Senate approves Robakhon Makhmudova as Supreme Court Chair as Bakhtiyor Islomov steps down

The transition was finalized during a meeting of the Senate Council of Oliy Majlis on June 18, following formal submissions by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The Senate Council approved President Mirziyoyev's proposal to relieve Bakhtiyor Islomov of his duties as Chief Justice. Islomov had been leading the country's highest court since August 2022. Prior to his judicial leadership, he served as the Presidential Advisor on coordinating the activities of law enforcement and regulatory bodies.

Concurrently, the Senate Council reviewed and approved the presidential nomination of Robakhon Makhmudova to lead the judiciary. The Council passed a resolution appointing Makhmudova as a judge indefinitely, and electing her as the Chairperson of the Supreme Court for a five-year term.

Makhmudova brings a prominent political and legal background to the role. Since January 2024, she has served as the leader of the "Adolat" (Justice) Social Democratic Party. She also ran as the party's candidate in the 2023 snap presidential election, where she secured 4.43% of the vote.