Uzbek Citizen Sentenced in Namangan for Mercenary Activity in Russian Armed Forces

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Chust District Criminal Court of the Namangan region concluded its consideration of a criminal case against a 45-year-old local resident, D.T., who was found guilty of participating in an armed conflict on the territory of a foreign state. The judicial authorities qualified the defendant's actions under Part 1 of Article 154 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Mercenary activity).

During the court hearings, it was established that the citizen of Uzbekistan was on the territory of the Russian Federation for the purpose of employment. According to the testimony of the defendant, in April 2025, while working as a private taxi driver, he was stopped by Russian police officers for a document check. During the inspection of the vehicle, narcotic substances were discovered on a passenger sitting in the back seat.

The leadership of the police department presented the driver with a choice, stating that this incident would lead to criminal prosecution, and his wife and child would be placed in a specialized institution due to expired temporary registration. In exchange for release from prosecution and the legalization of his family members on Russian territory, the man was offered to sign a contract for military service.

The defendant explained that due to fears for the safety of his relatives, he was forced to agree to the proposed conditions. His family was issued an administrative fine for violating migration legislation, with a subsequent promise to issue permit documents.

In June 2025, D.T. was accepted into Russian citizenship and concluded a contract with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for a term of one year. During the performance of his duties, the man received a severe injury, being blown up by a mine while riding a motorcycle, after which he spent several months undergoing treatment in a military hospital.

In October 2025, the citizen, along with his son, left the territory of Russia, flying first to the Kyrgyz city of Osh, and then returned to Uzbekistan. For the entire period of service under the contract, the defendant received payments in the amount of 1 million 56 thousand Russian rubles.

During the court session, D.T. fully admitted his guilt, expressed deep repentance, and asked for a lighter sentence, pointing out that he is the sole breadwinner, his wife has a Group II disability, and he himself developed serious health problems as a result of the injury.

After studying all materials of the case, the court considered the guilt proven and sentenced citizen D.T. to punishment in the form of deprivation of liberty for a term of 2 years and 6 months to be served in a colony.