Supreme Court Denies Reports on the Release of Former Hokim of Sharaf-Rashidov District

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The information about the alleged release of the former hokim of Sharaf-Rashidov District in Jizzakh region, Mahmud Kholbutaev, is false, the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan reported.

The agency clarified that the reports circulating in some sources regarding Kholbutaev’s release have no basis. According to the decision of the Jizzakh City Court on July 10 of this year, he was placed in custody, which remains in effect. He is currently held in a detention facility.

The criminal case is being reviewed by the Arnasay District Criminal Court and is at the stage of being scheduled for hearing.

It is recalled that in July 2025, the State Security Service reported the detention of Mahmud Kholbutaev. He has been charged under Article 210 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan — “Acceptance of a Bribe.”

In addition, criminal proceedings have been initiated in this case against the chief specialist of the district administration under Articles 168 (“Fraud”) and 211 (“Giving a Bribe”) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan.