The key facts

  • In the Buvayda district, about 17,600 counterfeit religious books, more than 500 kg of semi-finished materials, 4 pieces of equipment, and 216,000 pyrotechnic items were seized
  • In the Yangihayot district of Tashkent, more than 8,500 copies of counterfeit literature were seized from a 45-year-old citizen
  • Both reports are based on an SGB publication; no information on detentions or legal consequences has been provided yet

Two illegal printing houses

The State Security Service of Uzbekistan reported the discovery of two underground printing houses where religious literature was printed without licenses or permits. The first operation took place in the Buvayda district of the Fergana region, the second in the Yangihayot district of Tashkent, Gazeta reports, citing the State Security Service.

What was seized

In the Buvayda district, according to the State Security Service, a 40-year-old citizen, together with relatives, set up a printing house and printed religious books without the required permits. Almost 17,600 finished counterfeit books, more than 500 kg of semi-finished materials for their production, and 4 pieces of equipment were seized from them. In addition, 216,000 pyrotechnic items were also found and confiscated there — this part of the find goes beyond the printing house's original profile, and the publication does not explain how the pyrotechnics are connected to its owners.

The Tashkent episode and open questions

The second printing house operated in the Yangihayot district of Tashkent: more than 8,500 copies of counterfeit religious literature were seized from a 45-year-old citizen. The Russian-language and Uzbek-language versions of Gazeta's report match in all the figures and details given. The released information says nothing about detentions, the opening of cases, or possible penalties — these circumstances remain unknown.