Resident of Khatyrchi Sentenced to Four Years of Restricted Freedom for Participation in Foreign Armed Conflict

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Criminal Court of Navoi Region has found a 28-year-old resident of Khatyrchi District guilty of participating in an armed conflict on behalf of a foreign state and sentenced him to four years of restricted freedom, according to Podrobno.uz citing the court verdict.

The investigation established that the man traveled to Russia in 2021 for labor migration and worked for an extended period as a general laborer in various regions. In April 2025, he voluntarily signed a one-year contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Between April and June 2025, he underwent military training that included handling firearms, explosives, and reconnaissance drones.

In July 2025, he was deployed to the Luhansk area, where he sustained injuries during a drone attack.

After receiving treatment at a military hospital, the man returned to Uzbekistan and reported the incident to law enforcement authorities. Medical examinations confirmed moderate bodily injuries sustained during combat.

During the trial, the defendant fully admitted his guilt, expressed remorse, and asked the court to take into account his family situation and young child.

The court classified his actions under Article 154 of the Criminal Code (“Mercenary Activity”) and, taking into account mitigating circumstances, sentenced him to four years of restricted freedom with a prohibition on leaving his place of residence, along with a set of additional restrictions.