Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Reports appeared on social networks that one of those accused of committing riots in the city of Nukus, Polat Shamshetov, died yesterday morning in a pre-trial detention center from a heart attack.

Members of the independent Commission on this case will visit Bukhara region on 6 February to study the circumstances of death, including conditions of detention, surveillance footage, preliminary medical report and other relevant documents. Interviews will also be held with persons who were in the same cell with the deceased, and employees of the pre-trial detention center.

It is reported that the public will be informed of the results of the study.

The former head of the department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the late Polat Shamshetov, was sentenced to 6 years in prison for calling for mass riots, as well as for actively participating in demonstrations.