Uzbekistan Court Sentences Man for Mercenary Activity

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Karaulbazar District Criminal Court reviewed the case of a 31-year-old man, A.O., accused of mercenary activity.

According to the case materials, in September 2021 the defendant traveled to the Russian Federation for work. In 2022, he was convicted there of theft and sentenced to five years in prison.

While serving his sentence in September 2025, A.O. was offered a military contract. He stated that he agreed to sign it to avoid pressure and torture.

In October, he was sent to Luhansk Oblast, where he underwent military training. During the exercises, he sustained a gunshot wound to his right shoulder and was hospitalized in a military hospital in Luhansk for 20 days.

After treatment, he managed to escape and contacted the Uzbek consulate in Rostov-on-Don, reporting the incident. On October 31, he received a certificate of repatriation, and on November 3, A.O. returned to Tashkent.

At the court hearing, the defendant admitted his guilt, expressed remorse, and requested leniency.

The court found him guilty under Part 1 of Article 154 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (mercenary activity) and sentenced him to four years of restricted freedom.