On January 17, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan published a detailed official statement accusing a group of individuals linked to the online outlet Taftish.uz of systematic criminal activity. The ministry claims that, under the guise of journalistic work, the individuals engaged in extortion, fraud, and the dissemination of defamatory materials, and that the internet was used as a tool of pressure against citizens and entrepreneurs.
At the beginning of the statement, the Interior Ministry emphasizes that every journalist, blogger, or other media representative bears responsibility for each published piece of information and must act objectively and impartially. The ministry then states that Taftish.uz staff, by contrast, used information activities for personal gain.
The Interior Ministry’s version: how the group allegedly operated
According to the statement, the scheme allegedly used by the individuals worked as follows:
Materials were published on social networks and video platforms which, according to the ministry, humiliated the honor and dignity of citizens or discredited entrepreneurs and officials. After that, money was demanded from those affected in exchange for removing the publications.
The Interior Ministry claims that such videos were posted, among other places, on a YouTube channel associated with Taftish.uz, and that financial demands were transmitted through the alleged leader of the group.
The ministry also states that this practice was systematic and was used in various regions of the country.
Aberayev: Interior Ministry names him as the group’s leader
The central figure in the ministry’s statement is G’ayrat Aberayev, born in 1988, a native of Bukhara Region. The ministry directly calls him the leader of the criminal group.
The statement provides a detailed list of his previous convictions. In particular, it claims that:
- in 2013, he was prosecuted under Part 2 of Article 168 of the Criminal Code;
- in 2015, under Part 1 of Article 168 and a number of other articles;
- in the same year, the Samarkand Regional Court sentenced him to seven years in prison, but he was released under an amnesty;
- in 2016, he was sentenced to 9 years and 6 months in prison and was released on parole in 2020;
- in 2024, he was again held criminally liable under Part 4 of Article 168 of the Criminal Code;
- on May 28, 2025, the Kuvasay City Court stripped him of the right to engage in blogging activities and sentenced him to 1 year and 2 months of restriction of liberty.
According to the ministry, Aberayev is currently serving a sentence of restriction of liberty and is under probation supervision. The ministry also states that he has been recognized as a dangerous recidivist.
The statement separately claims that, despite a court ban on using the internet and telephone, Aberayev allegedly created a fake account in his brother’s name and continued coordinating the group’s activities through it.
Other individuals mentioned by the Interior Ministry
The statement also lists other individuals whom the ministry links to the activities of Taftish.uz.
Azizjon Yuldashev, born in 1992. The Interior Ministry claims that he participated in the preparation of video materials and in the scheme of receiving money for their removal. The ministry also provides a personal characterization, stating that on social networks he presented himself as “people-oriented,” but in reality, according to the ministry, behaved aggressively toward citizens and officials.
Dilshod Nishonov, born in 1998, a correspondent for Taftish.uz. The ministry reports that he had previously been held administratively liable for violating personal data legislation and for disseminating false information. The statement also claims that his disability was used within the group to manipulate public opinion and exert pressure on state bodies. Within the group, according to the text, he allegedly played the role of a person who communicated rudely with officials and participated in extortion.
At the same time, the Interior Ministry separately states that the state had systematically provided social assistance to Nishonov’s family. The statement gives specific examples: major repairs to their home, the provision of a new apartment to the family in 2024, the creation of conditions for his mother to earn income, and regular provision of social support.
Marjona Eshquvvatova, born in 2006, a correspondent for Taftish.uz. The ministry reports that in April 2024 she was held administratively liable for disseminating false information. The ministry claims that in 2025 she, together with other individuals, participated in preparing video materials that were used for extortion in various regions — in Tashkent, Samarkand Region, Namangan Region, and Karakalpakstan.
The Interior Ministry also describes in detail one episode related to a social media post about a prevention inspector in Syrdarya Region. The ministry claims that the published information was false, discredited the officer, and could pose a threat to public order.
In addition, the statement includes claims that Eshquvvatova allegedly drove a car without a driver’s license and systematically violated traffic rules.
Specific cases cited by the Interior Ministry
The text lists situations that the ministry links to the group’s activities. In particular, the Interior Ministry claims that materials followed by extortion were published concerning:
- the management of a trade complex in Tashkent’s Chilanzar district,
- a family in Chust district of Namangan Region,
- the construction company Parkent Development in Tashkent,
- the construction company Oʻzbegim uylari in Samarkand Region.
According to the ministry, after such publications, entrepreneurs and citizens were offered the option of paying for their removal.
Position of the other side
The published Interior Ministry statement contains no comments from the individuals named, their lawyers, or representatives of Taftish.uz. There has also been no public response from them at the time this material was prepared.
It was previously also reported that Taftish.uz employee Sardor Khamidov had been detained. The Interior Ministry’s current statement does not mention him. We also previously reported on the alleged link between this media outlet and the company Elita-Media.
Image for the article: Screenshot from the official video of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan.