Malaysia Commutes Death Sentences of Three Uzbek Nationals

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Three citizens of Uzbekistan, who were previously sentenced to death in Malaysia in a drug smuggling case, have had their capital punishment commuted to 30 years in prison, Kun reports, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.

According to the ministry, the Uzbek nationals were detained at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in September 2010 under suspicion of attempting to smuggle more than 12 kilograms of narcotic substances. Subsequently, a Malaysian court found them guilty and handed down the death penalty.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Malaysia had repeatedly approached the country's state authorities with official petitions for clemency. Such appeals were submitted in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2020.

Following the introduction of a moratorium on executions in Malaysia in 2018 and the entry into force in 2024 of legislation providing for the review of such cases, the Federal Court of the country reviewed the sentences. As a result, the death penalty was commuted to 30 years of imprisonment.

Taking into account sentence reduction procedures and benefits provided by legislation for good behavior, the release of the convicts is expected in 2030.

Currently, the citizens of Uzbekistan are serving their sentences at Kajang Prison, located in the state of Selangor. According to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassy continues to regularly visit the convicts and provides them with the necessary consular and legal support.