The Prosecutor General's Office unveiled the findings of the investigation prompted by a story published by Kun.uz in December last year. According to the publication, dozens of rare manuscripts dating back to the 13th-15th centuries have disappeared from the library of the National University of Uzbekistan.
Among the missing manuscripts, in particular, are the works of Abu Bakr Sobuni dating back to the 13th century, the handwritten book of Sharafiddin Ali Yazdi Mukaddimai Zafarnoma written in the 15th century, the epic Khamsa by Alisher Navoi in gold binding and dozens of other rare manuscripts and books.
In 2018, a major overhaul was carried out at the National University of Uzbekistan. During the renovation, valuable books were taken out of the museum, and were never returned.
According to the General Prosecutor's Office, the cost of manuscripts of the 13th-19th centuries, stored in the fund of the information and resource center of the National University, is 2.6 billion soums.
The investigation found the theft of 56 manuscripts and 6 lithographs of historical and artistic value, as well as other serious violations.
On February 19, the Prosecutor General's Office opened a criminal case against officials and financial employees of the university, as well as the director of the information resource center and others under Article 167 (Theft by misappropriation or embezzlement) and other articles of the Criminal Code.
The probe is being conducted by the Tashkent City Prosecutor's Office, the Prosecutor General's Office has established control over the course of the investigation.
