Eight Uzbek nationals have been sentenced to life imprisonment after a mass brawl in Dubai, the spokesman to the Foreign Ministry Ahror Burkhanov said.

Reportedly, the incident occurred in April 2025 in Dubai, where a mass brawl involving Uzbek nationals broke out. Following a trial on January 21, a UAE court found eight nationals guilty and sentenced them to life imprisonment.

Another Uzbek national has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Currently, the relevant agencies and diplomatic missions of Uzbekistan are taking all necessary steps to comprehensively study the situation and protect their rights.

Media reported on a mass brawl involving Uzbek nationals in Dubai in April 2025. The incident occurred at a gas station. According to UAE law enforcement agencies, two Uzbek nationals were killed in the incident: one died instantly from a knife attack, while the other fell into a coma and died in the hospital.

On April 25, Uzbek diplomats met with the leadership of the Dubai Criminal Investigation Department. The Emirati authorities reported that an investigation was underway, and 15 Uzbek nationals had been detained.

UAE authorities added that the increasing frequency of crimes involving Uzbek nationals abroad could negatively impact the visa-free between the two countries.

The Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that it was working on the case in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and called on Uzbek nationals to refrain from actions abroad that could damage the reputation of our fellow countrymen.

Later, the Dubai Public Prosecution Office clarified that the conflict occurred between two groups of people who had previously known each other and, according to preliminary reports, was related to a long-standing standoff. All participants in the incident were identified through CCTV footage and witness statements, and were subsequently detained at a hotel in another emirate. The case was referred to the prosecutor's office for further investigation.