The Mirzachul District Criminal Court has found blogger Sirojiddin Odilov, director of Sirojiddin Media LLC, guilty of extortion and fraud.
In a verdict handed down today, the court found Odilov guilty of extortion against a man under Part 1 of Article 165 of the Criminal Code, and of repeated fraud against two citizens, committed using his official position, under Part 3, clauses "b" and "c" of Article 168. He was sentenced to four years in prison.
The Jizzakh province courts said in a statement that the trial fully established that Odilov obtained 12 million soums from a man, D. Shamsiev, through extortion, and 30 million soums from G. Jumaniyozova and 33 million soums from R. Khudoynazarova through fraud. Odilov has repaid the total damage of 75 million soums.
"It should be stressed that no charges were brought over S. Odilov's social media activity during the criminal proceedings. The charges against him relate to obtaining other citizens' property through fraud and extortion. The verdict of the court of first instance can be assessed only by a higher court, in line with procedural rules," the Jizzakh province courts said.
