Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A covert operation conducted by the State Security Service (SSS) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) in Tashkent has led to the discovery of an illegal religious community.

Seventeen individuals gathered late at night in a traditional cuisine restaurant in the capital, including three customs officers, a student from Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, deputy directors of a technopark and a private driving school, traders from the "Sergeli-Avto" car market, and others. Under the guise of a communal dinner, they held unauthorized meetings using various religious books.

Most of the detainees are originally from Namangan region (born between 1976 and 2001) but currently reside in Tashkent.

According to the investigation, the deputy head of a department within the Customs Committee, described as a religious fanatic, had been regularly organizing illegal religious gatherings since 2021. He collected funds from participants and transferred them to their mentors.

Members of the group received online lessons via Telegram from an individual born in 1989 in the Namangan region, who is currently residing in Egypt.

Additionally, a student from Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies conducted in-person religious lectures for the group.

Criminal charges have been filed under Article 216 of the Criminal Code ("Establishment of Illegal Public Associations or Religious Organizations") against the deputy head of the Customs Committee department, an operative officer and senior inspector of the customs authorities, the university student, and the individual instructing them from Egypt. An investigation is underway.

The remaining participants have been designated as suspects in the case.