The Yashnabad District Criminal Court in Tashkent continued proceedings today on August 14 in the case against former Uzbekneftegaz board chairman Bakhodirjon Sidikov and his co-defendants. The court ruled to continue the trial behind closed doors.
At the start of the hearing, presiding judge Jasurbek Ubaydullaev considered a motion filed by Sidikov's lawyer, Khusanov, seeking to change his client's pretrial restrictions.
At the previous hearing, the defense had requested a change to the former Uzbekneftegaz chief's pretrial detention, citing his health condition as well as arguments that Sidikov had been detained in violation of his parliamentary immunity — he was a member of Karakalpakstan's Jokargy Kenes at the time of his arrest.
The prosecutor opposed the motion. Lawyers for the other defendants either backed the defense's request or left the decision to the court's discretion. The court ultimately denied the motion to change Sidikov's pretrial restrictions.
The prosecutor then requested that the trial be moved into closed session, arguing that the proceedings involve classified documents or materials marked "for official use only." The court heard from participants on the matter: some defense lawyers supported the prosecutor's request, while others left it to the court's discretion.
Sidikov's lawyer, Khusanov, asked that the motion be granted only in part, noting that some of the materials under review were not classified but merely marked "for official use only." He proposed closing the courtroom to the public only while such documents were being examined, keeping the rest of the proceedings open.
Another of Sidikov's lawyers, Muminov, backed this position, as did Sidikov himself. Former Uzbekneftegaz deputy chairman Bakhtiyar Anarkulov also spoke in favor of partially granting the prosecutor's motion. The remaining defendants either supported moving the trial to closed session or left the matter to the court.
Following the discussion, the court ruled to continue the criminal case behind closed doors. After announcing its decision, the judge said civil defendants could remain in the courtroom. Journalists and other individuals not party to the closed proceedings were asked to leave.
The case against Sidikov and his co-defendants is being heard by the Yashnabad District Criminal Court. Prior to the ruling to close the trial, hearings had been held in open session, with media representatives permitted to attend and provide live text coverage of the proceedings.
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