Trial Begins for Blogger Real Sanjik in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The criminal case against blogger Sanjar Karimov, widely known as Real Sanjik, has been referred to court for trial on its merits. The first hearing is scheduled for today, 10 April 2026, at the Mirzo-Ulugbek District Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Bakhrom Berdiev.

According to case materials, Karimov faces charges under several articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, including Article 112: Threat of murder or violence, Article 168, Part 4: Large-scale fraud and Article 273: Illegal turnover of narcotic drugs with intent to sell.

The case involves two victims whose claims are linked to the high-profile "fugitive groom" scandal involving Shahzod Rismatov. Karimov’s name first surfaced during a conflict involving Jamila Olimboeva, who accused Rismatov of real estate fraud. She alleged that her home was fraudulently transferred to the blogger to settle a debt. Karimov has consistently denied these claims, asserting he purchased the property legally for US$240,000.

In November 2025, Shahzod Rismatov was sentenced to nine years in prison for fraud. During that trial, the court issued a private order instructing the prosecutor's office to investigate Karimov's potential involvement in the illegal scheme. Following that investigation, the blogger was taken into custody on 28 November 2025. He now stands trial to address both the economic allegations and the narcotics-related charges.