Press Release
Exposure of Fraudulent Trials against Former Political Prisoners
(Translated)

The Uzbek regime has committed a heinous act by re-imprisoning former political prisoners who had previously served 20-year sentences. The court rulings, which initially sentenced 15 innocent, devout young men to lengthy prison terms based on slander and false accusations, remained largely unchanged after the appeal court’s review. They are currently undergoing investigation trials. During these trials, their lawyers have submitted an appeal to the judge, demanding that all charges be dropped and that they be released immediately.

According to reliable sources regarding the upcoming trial of 31 young men, it has been revealed that the witnesses summoned to testify against them were fake and possibly hired. Reports indicate that several individuals from the Syrdarya and Andijan regions participated as witnesses in the trial held in Tashkent. Notably, they gave their testimony online rather than appearing in person in court. However, the court did not ensure a proper connection. When human lives are at stake, it is crucial that a witness's words be clear and comprehensible! This situation highlights the blatant disregard of Uzbek courts and, by extension, the Uzbek regime for the fate of its people.

Furthermore, government-appointed defense lawyers informed the judge that they had not been paid their salaries for four months and announced their withdrawal from the trial. In fact, half of the defense lawyers did not even attend the court session.

Regarding the exposure of false witness testimonies, one "witness" from Andijan claimed that three of the accused had visited his house to discuss party activities. However, this statement was proven to be highly inaccurate. Similarly, according to a "witness" named Ilham from Syrdarya, our brother Mamanazarov Abdul Jabbar allegedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" in a mosque. Since when has praising our Lord by saying "Allahu Akbar" become a crime?! Is this supposed to be a "serious offense" committed by our brother?!

Following these inconsistent and incoherent statements by the "witnesses," the judge adjourned the session. This situation is undoubtedly condemnable, and it could be said that even the judges themselves have been coerced into such an embarrassing position. The judge then ordered all "witnesses" to attend the next session. However, they stated that they did not wish to appear in court and had been informed that they were not required to do so. It is not difficult to understand that this restriction may have been imposed by security officials. The judge reminded them that they had no choice but to appear in court in person and warned them that if they refused, they would face criminal charges for perjury or refusal to testify.

In summary, these twisted conspiracies filled with deceit and lies against the righteous servants of Allah are being exposed at every moment by His will.

Regrettably, our worst fears are being confirmed. This means that the same conspiratorial methods used against the first group of former political prisoners are now being applied to these young men as well. The objective is not to determine whether they have committed a crime or to achieve justice. If that were the goal, the current regime would have first issued an apology for the suffering inflicted upon them by Karimov’s oppressive regime and worked to heal their physical and emotional wounds. Instead, it shamelessly imprisons these innocent young men once again to appease the colonialist disbelieving nations. Moreover, these young men are not even given the proper conditions to defend themselves, because the "order" for their re-arrest has come from the highest political circles in the regime.

To support these young men, Hizb ut-Tahrir has launched a social media campaign, organized a series of protests, and submitted petitions to Uzbek embassies in several countries. Letters have also been sent to various local and international media outlets, urging them to inform the public about these unjust and oppressive actions. However, none have responded to these appeals thus far.

Once again, we strongly condemn the oppression and violence against these devout and courageous men, who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the Muslim people of Uzbekistan and who guide them toward the right path out of their current state of humiliation and backwardness—seeking only the pleasure of Allah Almighty! Once again, we demand that the Uzbek regime cease this injustice! We also issue a stern warning to all human rights organizations and media outlets that turn a blind eye to this matter: do not become accomplices to these oppressors. We remind you once again that being complicit in injustice is a disgrace both in this world and in the Hereafter.

[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