The State Security Service, in cooperation with law enforcement agencies from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, has dismantled a network involved in financing terrorism.
An investigation revealed that eight Uzbek citizens born between 1987 and 1998—residing in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Andijan, and Fergana—had fallen under the ideological and psychological influence of Abdulmuhsin Usmonov. Usmonov, a Kyrgyz national, is actively linked to the Syria-based terrorist organization Ghuraba al-Katiba. The suspects regularly transferred funds to bank accounts controlled by him.
According to investigative findings, Usmonov, who operates under the alias "Saad Mukhtor," used the Telegram messaging platform to solicit donations under the guise of providing humanitarian aid to displaced and suffering Muslims in Palestine. However, the collected funds were systematically diverted to support the operational needs of terrorist cells fighting in Syria.
Following their trial, seven members of the ring were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to eight years. The eighth individual was sentenced to four years and four months of restricted freedom (probation).
State security officials reminded the public that under Article 155-3 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, financing terrorism carries a penalty of up to 15 years of imprisonment.
In light of this case, the State Security Service has issued a public warning urging citizens to remain skeptical of suspicious crowdfunding and charity campaigns circulating on social media. Authorities emphasized the absolute necessity of verifying the legality and true motives of any online initiative before transferring money.
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