A man received a 10-year sentence for extremism.
A 31-year-old man received a 10-year prison sentence for participating in extremist activity and financing terrorism. He reportedly communicated with members of banned organizations and attempted to join militants in Syria.
Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Extremism
A 31-year-old resident of the Kashkadarya Region was sentenced to ten years in prison. He was accused of participating in extremist activity and financing terrorism, according to the press service of the State Security Service of Uzbekistan.
According to the service, in 2017, the man entered a South Korean university. Around 2020, while studying, he became familiar with materials from terrorist organizations circulating on social media. He began communicating with members of these organizations and distributing their materials.
After graduating, the man remained to work in South Korea. In late 2023, he joined the Murg'ak qalblar (Defenseless Hearts) group on Telegram, which encouraged users to send money to those in need. The accused claimed he sent the money after trusting blogger Saad Muxtor (a Kyrgyz citizen on the international wanted list). He returned to Uzbekistan at the same time.
In July 2024, according to investigators, he traveled to Turkey to join militants in Syria, but his plans failed, and he returned home.
He was detained during an operation conducted by law enforcement agencies.
The court found the man guilty under Articles 244-1 (production, storage, distribution, or display of materials containing a threat to public safety and order), 244-2 (creation, leadership, or participation in religious extremist, separatist, fundamentalist, or other prohibited organizations), 155-2 (training, travel, or movement for the purpose of committing terrorist activity), and 155-3 (financing terrorism) of the Criminal Code.
In the SGB video, the man said that despite knowing several languages, having a foreign education and profession, he was deceived and regrets his actions.