Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A closed trial against 29 defendants in the case of the Sardoba dam breakthrough has ended.

The defendants are responsible for the design and construction of the Sardoba reservoir. The defendants were found guilty of crimes under Articles 167 (Theft by misappropriation or embezzlement), 209 (Official forgery), 243 (Money laundering) and 258 (Violation of safety rules for mining, construction or explosive work) of the Criminal Code .

In accordance with the court’s verdict, one defendant was sentenced to 10 years and 3 months in prison with deprivation of the right to hold leadership positions and positions related to financial responsibility for a period of 3 years.

Another defendant was sentenced to 5 years in prison with deprivation of the right to hold leadership positions and positions related to liability for a period of 3 years, as well as a fine of 550 sizes of basic estimated value (BEV)

The other defendant was sentenced to 5 years in prison with deprivation of the right to hold leadership positions and positions related to financial responsibility for a period of 3 years, as well as a fine of 600 sizes of the BEV.

Another defendant was sentenced to deprivation of the right to engage in entrepreneurial activity for a period of 3 years, as well as a fine of 600 sizes of the BEV.

Two defendants were sentenced to 4 years of restraint of liberty with deprivation of the right to hold leadership positions and positions related to financial responsibility for a period of 3 years, as well as a fine of 550 sizes of the BEV.

The court sentenced 23 defendants to deprivation of the right to hold managerial positions and positions related to financial responsibility for a period of 3 years, as well as a fine of 400 to 550 sizes of the BEV.

In May 2020, a dam broke in the Sardoba reservoir. As a result, several settlements were flooded.

In July 2020, the Prosecutor General’s Office named the causes of the man-made disaster - errors in project documentation, during construction and operation.

In May 2021, 17 officials were sentenced for involvement in the breach of the dam in Syrdarya. Six of the perpetrators received prison terms, the rest of the persons were sentenced to a fine and a temporary ban on professional activities.