Telegram Group Disseminating Extremist Materials Shut Down in Jizzakh Region

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Law enforcement agencies in the Jizzakh region have shut down the activities of a group that was distributing banned extremist materials via the Telegram messenger, the regional department of internal affairs reported.

Operational measures established that a 24-year-old resident of the Jiydali mahalla in the Gallaorol district, a student at one of Tashkent’s higher education institutions, together with a 23-year-old acquaintance, had created a closed Telegram group.

Within this virtual community, prohibited religious audio and video materials linked to ideologues of religious extremist movements and international terrorist organizations were disseminated.

Approximately 18 individuals were involved in the group. Its members discussed extremist ideas and exchanged banned content.

A criminal case has been initiated under Part 1 of Article 244-2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which covers the creation, leadership, or participation in religious extremist, separatist, fundamentalist, or other prohibited organizations.

As part of the investigation, nine individuals have been taken into custody, while preventive interviews have been conducted with seven other citizens.