Customs Officials Discovered Establishing an Unlawful Religious Organisation

An illegal religious organisation has been suppressed in Tashkent. The Uzbek State Security Service (SGB) reported that the deputy head of the Customs Committee, along with several colleagues and a university student from the capital, are suspected of establishing this organisation.

The group was primarily composed of individuals from Namangan, with suspects ranging in age from 24 to 49. Law enforcement authorities detained 17 people involved in the organisation. Among those detained were the deputy director of a technopark, the deputy head of a private driving school, and traders from the Sergeli car market, among others.

The participants were apprehended during a meeting at a restaurant in the capital. Investigations revealed that a student from the University of Oriental Studies and the deputy head of the Customs Committee were instructing the group. An Uzbekistani man residing in Egypt provided religious lectures to the members.

A criminal case has been initiated, and an investigation is ongoing under Article 216 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which addresses the illegal organisation of public associations or religious organisations.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that the President of Kyrgyzstan has introduced a ban on clothing that covers the face.