Press News
Is the Uzbek Government Longing for the Era of Tyrant Karimov?
(Translated)

It is deeply regrettable that the Uzbek government, which boasts of "New Uzbekistan," and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who came to power in 2016 and described the dark period of Karimov's regime as the "old garbage system," seems to want to return to that disgraceful period. It appears the current government has not learned enough lessons from the brutality of Karimov's regime and the fact that he foolishly and insanely fought Hizb ut Tahrir, gaining no good reputation but rather discrediting himself globally, ultimately dying a miserable death. Otherwise, how could they bring back to trial the believers who were unjustly imprisoned and held under severe physical and psychological pressure for many years, who have not yet had the chance to breathe the air of freedom? The only "crime" of these oppressed brothers is saying "Our Lord is Allah" and calling on Muslims in our country, government leaders, and mosque imams to bring Allah's rulings to life! Currently, a large group of them are being retried. Here is a complete list of these twenty-three men:

1. Rahmatov Anwar Samatovich, born in 1969

2. Rahimov Abadullah, born in 1962

3. Fazilbek Davranbek, born in 1972

4. Shamsiyev Alam Tolaganovich, born in 1973

5. Abdullov Mahmud Dadabaevich, born in 1963

6. Abdulilov Zabiullah Khalilovich, born in 1971

7. Gafurov Bakhtiyar Talatovich, born in 1980

8. Hikmatov Fakhriddin Sharafovich, born in 1968

9. Agilmov Issamuddin Jalalovich, born in 1968

10. Yuldashev Anvarjan Tabitovich, born in 1972

11. Mirza Akhmedov Atabek Abdulkhilovich, born in 1971

12. Kamalov Khairulla Abdullievich, born in 1962

13. Mirza Akhmedov Mashrab Shamlievich, born in 1975

14. Ashrafov Sadriddin Salahudinovich, born in 1973

15. Mahmudov Delmarad Rahimovich, born in 1969

16. Ali Mohammedov Aziz Azamovich, born in 1983

17. Nizamov Murad Tahirovich, born in 1973

18. Mirtalibov Abdul Razzak Abdulfattakhovich, born in 1965

19. Tulaganov Mirzakhid Mirvahidovich, born in 1985

20. Mamurov Delmarad Mukhtarovich, born in 1976

21. Akhonjanov Umid Abdulrahimovich, born in 1981

22. Abdurrahmanov Shavkat Abdulridovich, born in 1974

23. Yakubov Muradjan Nigmatjanovich, born in 1978.

These young men were victims of Karimov's repressive regime. Some spent at least seven years in prison, and most spent over 20 years behind bars. During their imprisonment, new sentences were repeatedly added unjustly and with flimsy excuses. The inhumane conditions and pressure on them are a separate, large topic. Now, a group of these same young men are being criminally tried under Article 159, Part 3, Paragraphs A, B, and Article 2442, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. On October 25, 2023, the Investigations Department of the Tashkent Main Internal Affairs Directorate filed a criminal case under Paragraph 3 (d) of Article 2441 and Paragraph 3 (d) of Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and investigations were conducted. After three months - on January 19 - the preliminary investigation was extended for five months until March 25. During the investigation, they were again subjected to threats and physical and psychological pressure inherited from the "garbage system." On May 9, the investigation ended, and the trial began in Tashkent. According to the testimonies of the Shabab in court, on the day they were detained, bags were placed over their heads, and they were beaten for two days. Due to the investigators' lack of material evidence of the Shabab' "guilt," they were forced to sign the indictment written by the investigators themselves through bullying, extortion, intimidation, and psychological pressure. In short, the pressure on our brothers during the investigation was repeated, as it was during the era of the first tyrant president, in 1999. The Shabab stated this when given the floor in the last court session. According to one of the Shabab in court, they threatened to arrest his son if he did not sign the testimonies. Another said he was threatened with bringing his wife if he did not sign the testimony. According to another brother, he was threatened that his son, who is studying in a higher educational institution abroad, would be brought to Uzbekistan through the embassy if he did not sign the testimony.

It is surprising that the trial of this large group, their arrest, and the pre-trial investigation process were not covered by any media in the country, although they are adept at covering trivial matters in detail and chasing after sensationalism! Also, no good is expected from palace scholars who cannot speak a single word in defense of these Shabab; it is impossible for them to do so because, despite claiming to be imams and leaders, they fear the Uzbek regime and people more than they fear Allah.

We warn the State Security Service and other security agencies, which are still the spearhead in fighting Islam and Muslims in our country, saying: you are also the children of Muslims, and these Shabab you arrest and interrogate are your brothers. These young men are well-intentioned; they want to warn you and your children from burning in the fire of Hell. All their "crimes" are just these good intentions in their hearts. So, if you continue committing this severe and great sin for a trivial position, for increasing stars on your shoulders, or for worldly gains, know that you will be partners with your superiors in committing severe and great crimes, in accusing and oppressing the innocent, and you will stand before Allah and be questioned alongside them! In this world, you will gain nothing but a miserable life!

As for the Uzbek government, if it thinks it will achieve anything by continuing the disgraceful path of Karimov's brutal regime, it is highly mistaken. Fighting Hizb ut Tahrir, which is determined to establish Allah's rulings on earth, oppressing its supporters, and imprisoning them, and believing that this will achieve something is extreme ignorance and political short-sightedness. Especially if the government is doing this based on recommendations from Russia or other colonial infidels to please them, this is an even greater sin and crime! We warn the Uzbek government of the consequences of incurring Allah's wrath by committing such a grave sin! We call on this government to gather its thoughts and release these oppressed people immediately before the verdict is pronounced and before it is too late! Enough of their suffering! Enough of attempts to slander and defame them! They are not criminals; they are sincere, pious Shabab who want only good for the Muslims of Uzbekistan!

Hizb ut Tahrir, as everyone knows - friends and foes alike - is a political Islamic party. It calls on all Muslims to establish the Khilafah (Caliphate) state that Allah has mandated for the entire Muslim Ummah to resume the Islamic way of life. It bases its call on intellectual struggle and political struggle. Today, praise be to Allah, the number of people responding to the Hizb's call is increasing day by day around the world. Naturally, this global call annoys the colonial infidel (kufr) countries like Russia, America, and Britain. Therefore, these malicious, hateful countries demand that the agent regimes and their minions in Muslim lands suppress its voice and fight it in every possible way, labeling it as extremist and terrorist, because capitalist democracy has been defeated by the principle of Islam, and the only method left for them now is the use of force and threats. This means that these agent regimes and their masters are on the verge of falling into an abyss.

We ask Allah Almighty for victory and implore Him to establish the Khilafah (Caliphate) state that protects oppressed Muslims, takes care of them, and restrains oppressors so they cannot lift their heads. That day is very near, by Allah's will.

[وَسَيَعْلَمُ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَيَّ مُنقَلَبٍ يَنقَلِبُونَ]

“And those who have wronged are going to know to what [kind of] return they will be returned.” [Surat Ash-Shu'ara:227]

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in Wilayah Uzbekistan