Former Imam-Khatib of Several Tashkent Mosques Charged with Embezzlement, Fraud, and Tax Violations

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Former imam-khatib of several mosques in Tashkent, Odilkhan Ismoilov, has been detained, the press service of the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan reported.

According to the court, Ismoilov, born in 1977 in Namangan Region and founder of the company Rayxon oilaviy milliy taomlari, along with five other defendants, has been charged under multiple articles of the Criminal Code.

The charges include embezzlement through misappropriation or waste, fraudulent entrepreneurship, tax evasion, violations of trade or service regulations, complicity in and committing official forgery, as well as the unlawful acquisition, destruction, damage, or concealment of documents, stamps, seals, and forms, including their production, forgery, sale, or use.

The criminal case is being heard in an open session at the Pap District Criminal Court. Ismoilov and four other defendants have been placed in pretrial detention, while one defendant has been released on bail.

Odilkhan Ismoilov held the position of Deputy Chief Imam-Khatib of Tashkent city from 2010. Between 2011 and July 2018, he served as the Chief Imam-Khatib of Shaykhantakhur District and as imam-khatib of the “Shaykh Zayniddin” mosque.

In July 2018, the Administration of Muslims of Uzbekistan announced his dismissal, citing the circulation of unverified information online and health issues that prevented him from fully performing his duties.

From 2019, Ismoilov worked at the charitable public foundation “Waqf.” In February of the same year, he was appointed imam-khatib of the “Khuja Alambardor” mosque in Shaykhantakhur District, but was relieved of his duties in September 2019 at his own request, again citing health problems.