Sanjar Karimov, known on social media as Real Sanjik, appeared in court in a criminal case. Hearings began on April 10 at the Mirzo-Ulugbek District Court of Tashkent, where Karimov is charged under several articles of the Criminal Code — making threats of murder or violence, fraud, and illegal actions involving narcotic drugs. The defendant stated: “I do not plead guilty to any of the charges.”
The court rejected a request to hold the hearings behind closed doors, allowing media to make audio recordings and take photographs. During the April 10 session, the testimony of victim Feruza Rakhmatullayeva was heard. According to her, Karimov took property belonging to her son, Shakhzod Rismatov, including cars, and also mortgaged the house of the Alimbayevs (Olimboyevs) family. The next hearing is scheduled for April 13.
Charges and preventive measure
According to the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan, Karimov (born in 1990, a native of Namangan region) was detained under Article 227 of the Criminal Procedure Code and placed in custody on November 28, 2025. He is charged with:
- Article 112, part 1 — threat of murder or use of violence;
- Article 168, part 4, paragraph “a” — fraud;
- Article 273, part 2 — illegal manufacture, acquisition, storage and other actions with intent to distribute narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, as well as their illegal sale.
Car blogger or entrepreneur?
Karimov is often described as a car blogger, however his Instagram pages have been deleted and the number of followers was relatively small. In the past, he showcased a luxury lifestyle — a $4 million villa and a fleet of 35 cars.
At the same time, official data show that Karimov is linked to a number of enterprises. In addition to the frequently mentioned inactive “Finans Invest,” where he is listed as director, we identified six operating companies in which he held shares or served as a manager. As of today, five remain, including:
- Agro Export Group Incorporation (99.9%),
- Agro Martis (100%),
- Property Clouds (50%),
- Trade and Production International (24% via Agro Export Group),
- O’zbekiston Urug‘chilar Assotsiatsiyasi (33.4% via two companies).
Previously, Karimov owned a stake in Petrogroup NRG (52.6% via Agro Export Group), engaged in fuel trading and related products. Today, the company is 100% owned by Akhmadjon Yusupov, who previously held 21.1%. At the same time, the company’s charter capital increased by 930.3 million soums.
Thus, Karimov’s business covers trade in grain, seeds, feed, and construction materials. All enterprises belong to small business; their charter capital ranges from tens of millions to several billion soums (equivalent to hundreds of thousands of dollars).
House of a Tashkent resident
Karimov also appeared in a case involving Tashkent resident Jamila Alimbayeva (Olimboyeva). According to her, her fiancé Shakhzod Rismatov persuaded her parents to mortgage their house, but the transaction was structured as a sale, with Karimov listed as the buyer. She claims the family did not receive the money, while Karimov insists he purchased the house for $240,000 with the consent of all family members.
Rismatov was sentenced in November 2025 to nine years in prison for fraud. His mother testified in court on April 10 as the victim. Another victim, Shakhlo Alimbayeva, is scheduled to testify on April 13.
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