Verdict delivered to former judges for the unlawful release of Akmal Shukurov

Verdict delivered to former judges

On November 13, a court in Tashkent Region announced the verdict in the case of the unlawful mitigation of the sentence against Akmal Shukurov. According to Gazeta, the former deputy chairman of the Tashkent City Court, M.M., was found guilty of negligence and interference in judicial matters. He was sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment with a 3-year ban on holding positions in the judicial system; however, no liability was imposed for negligence due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Liability of the panel judges

Three former judges — Odilbek Ilkhomjonov, Mirziyo Abidov and Mukhtaroma Turgunova — were found guilty of delivering a knowingly unjust ruling. Each of them was sentenced to 4 years of restricted freedom with a 3-year ban on working in the judicial system. Earlier, the Council of Judges of Uzbekistan terminated their powers ahead of schedule after an internal review revealed violations in the process of handling the case.

Timeline of the Shukurov case

The case arose after the beating of Boris Avakyan in March 2025, as a result of which Akmal Shukurov fell into a coma. Initially, in October 2025, Shukurov was sentenced to 8 years and 1 month of imprisonment. However, in December, the appellate panel, composed of the convicted judges, replaced the sentence with 4 years and 1 month of restricted freedom and released him from the courtroom. Following public outcry and a protest by the prosecutor's office, on December 18, 2025, the supervisory panel overturned this decision, reinstating a sentence of 6 years of imprisonment.