Bukhara Court Sentences Uzbek Citizen for Mercenary Activity

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A criminal court in Gijduvan district of Uzbekistan's Bukhara region has found a 30-year-old Uzbek citizen guilty of mercenary activity and sentenced him to three years in prison.

According to the case materials, the man traveled to Russia for work in 2024. He testified that after being detained by police, a conflict between him, an acquaintance and law enforcement officers escalated into a physical altercation.

The defendant said he was told he could face criminal prosecution for using force against a police officer and was offered a contract to participate in the fighting between Russia and Ukraine. He said he agreed to sign the contract out of fear of imprisonment.

According to the court materials, after signing the contract he was sent to a military unit in the city of Belouska, where he underwent military training. He was later wounded while taking part in the fighting and received treatment at a hospital.

In February 2026, after being granted leave, he returned to Uzbekistan and voluntarily informed law enforcement authorities about the circumstances of his participation in the armed conflict.

The court found him guilty under Part 1 of Article 154 of Uzbekistan's Criminal Code ("Mercenary Activity") and sentenced him to three years' imprisonment.