Blogger Comrade Aziz Sentenced to Over Four Years in Prison

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Shaykhantakhur District Criminal Court of Tashkent has sentenced blogger Aziz Khakimov, known online as Comrade Aziz, to four years and two months in prison. The criminal case was reviewed in a closed court session.

The court found Khakimov guilty under Articles 139 (Defamation), 140 (Insult), and 156 (Incitement of National, Racial, Ethnic, or Religious Enmity) of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan.

At the same time, the blogger was acquitted under Article 150 (War Propaganda). The court cited the absence of a crime in his actions regarding that charge.

In addition, the court instructed the Ministry of Digital Technologies to block the Telegram channel Comrade_Aziz, which was operated by Khakimov.

Six victims in the case, including blogger Nikita Makarenko, were advised to file claims in civil court seeking compensation for material and moral damages.