Airplane crash, events in Nukus, and the return of spiritual expertise – this week’s top news highlights.

An independent investigation into the "Nukus" events has been conducted

A commission established for an independent investigation into the "Nukus" events of 2022 has presented its report to the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan.

The commission examined the causes, chronology, and consequences of the events in Karakalpakstan, as well as evaluated the actions of state authorities and law enforcement agencies. The commission observed court proceedings and achieved the release of 30 defendants from the courtroom. Monitoring visits were conducted to detention centers, and socio-economic changes in the region after the events were tracked.

According to the commission, all rights of the suspects and defendants were respected, and the court proceedings were open and transparent. Three law enforcement officers were held criminally liable for human rights violations.

Recall that in the summer of 2022, protests took place in Nukus. This occurred after a draft of a new version of the Constitution of Uzbekistan was put forward for public discussion, which removed the word "sovereign" from the description of the status of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and eliminated the mention of the republic's right to secede from Uzbekistan.

100 injured Palestinian women and children evacuated to Uzbekistan from Rafah

The evacuated Palestinians will remain in Uzbekistan until they can return to their homeland. They will be accommodated in rehabilitation centers and hospitals for treatment and recovery.

Rafah is a city located in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, on the border with Egypt. It is frequently subjected to air strikes due to the conflict between Israel and the Hamas group.

The Prosecutor General's Office has put two Russians on an international wanted list

The Prosecutor General's Office confirmed the fact of placing two Russians, Bislan Rasaev and Shamil Temirkhanov, on an international wanted list due to their alleged connection to the assassination attempt on the former head of the information policy department of the presidential administration, Komil Allamjanov.

According to law enforcement, the two men illegally entered the Republic of Uzbekistan and left its territory without reporting the crime and were involved in the illegal trafficking of firearms.

Rasaev and Temirkhanov have been charged in absentia under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. A preventive measure in the form of detention has been applied to these individuals, and they have been declared wanted.

Recall that on October 26, two individuals fired multiple shots at Komil Allamjanov's Range Rover on Ifor Street in the Kibray district at night. No one was injured in the incident, and a criminal case was initiated.

Gas production and gasoline production are declining

Over the past 11 months of the current year, gas production has decreased by 4.7%, while oil production has dropped by 7.3%. Despite the deterioration of internal production indicators, gas sales volumes continue to grow. Gasoline production has decreased for the fourth consecutive month. The "Uzbekistan – 2030" strategy sets a goal to increase natural gas production to 62 billion cubic meters per year, which implies a 33% increase in production over 7 years.

The construction of the China - Kyrgyzstan - Uzbekistan railway has begun

On December 27, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov laid the first stone for the construction of the China - Kyrgyzstan - Uzbekistan railway.

In turn, Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent a message on the occasion of the start of construction of this railway.

The project includes the construction of 20 stations, 42 bridges, and 25 tunnels along the route from Kashgar to Andijan, as well as the creation of a modern transit and logistics infrastructure. It is expected that the annual cargo volumes will reach 15 million tons, significantly reducing transportation costs and delivery times for goods from China to Europe.

Penalty for the driver who ran over children has been changed

We previously reported on similar court cases and different sentences. Let me remind you that the driver of a Cobalt vehicle who ran over five children, two of whom died, was previously sentenced by Judge Ulugbek Ibragimov of the Yangiyul District Court to corrective labor. However, the case was reviewed following a cassation protest by the Deputy Prosecutor of Tashkent Region. The characterization of the driver as a "highly educated, employed young man" is no longer considered significant, whereas it previously helped him nearly avoid punishment. The convicted individual will serve his sentence in a penal colony.

The issue of morality and spiritual expertise has been raised again

At a press conference, Ozodbek Nazarbekov responded to the question: "Should the ministry be abolished, as the state should not be a regulator in the field of culture?"

"Taking advantage of the freedom provided, artists are destroying everything around them. When will that day come when we confidently grant freedom if needed?" the minister emphasized. It seems we are ruining everything ourselves and are not ready for freedom?! The question appears to be rhetorical.

Spiritual expertise seems to be hanging in the air and may return.

The director of the Cinematography Agency, Shukhrat Rizaev, expressed his views on this topic at the aforementioned conference, highlighting the need for "spiritual expertise" in Uzbekistan.

According to Rizaev, there has been an increase in explicit scenes and the use of inappropriate language in films and series, which is gradually becoming the norm. To regulate this area, starting from 2025, it is planned to coordinate the showing of series with a number of organizations. In this matter, it seems we are going in circles.

The law "On the State Budget for 2025" has been signed

The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has signed the law "On the State Budget for 2025."

In 2025, the maximum amount of newly signed annual agreements for external borrowings will be $5.5 billion. Of this amount, $3 billion will be allocated to support the state budget, while the remaining portion will go towards investment projects.

Ministries and agencies will report on the results of development programs to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. At the end of each quarter, the agency will present data on gender funding to the chambers of the Oliy Majlis. Time will show how this will unfold.

A gas station within walking distance from home

In the "Bogi Eram" mahalla of the Uzbekistan region of Fergana, the gas station "Bengaz Yaypan Fayz" initially sold only gasoline. However, a few months ago, the entrepreneur began selling propane despite protests from local residents. According to current regulations, a gas station must be located no closer than 60 meters from residential buildings. However, in this case, the distance from the gas station to the nearest residence is only 35 meters.

Residents living near the gas station express concern following a recent explosion in Fergana.

"Perhaps a few residents indeed gave their consent, but what about the officials? I believe their material interests are involved, and that's why they granted permission. We are against it. Why should hundreds of people be at risk for someone else's personal gain?" asks one of the locals.

"We invested all our resources into building the propane station and started operations only a month and a half ago. I personally monitor safety around the clock to ensure no one is harmed. We took a loan of 320 million sums from the government to launch this project," explains Umid Mirzaev, head of LLC "Bengaz Yaypan Fayz."

The heads of the construction department of the Fergana regional emergency management office, Sokhib Saliev, and the environmental expertise department, Muhammadmusо Bobokhudjaev, stated that the activities of the gas station will be reviewed.

The general plan for the development of Tashkent has been approved

The government of Uzbekistan has approved the general plan for the development of Tashkent until 2045.

According to the Resolution , the city's territories will be divided into conservation, reconstruction, and renovation zones. All construction work must be carried out in accordance with the established general plan