Another hearing in the case of blogger Aziz Hakimov (Comrade Aziz), who is charged under several articles of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, was held on July 17 at the Shaykhantakhur District Criminal Court in Tashkent. As before, the proceedings are being conducted behind closed doors.
After the hearing, defense lawyer Sergey Mayorov declined to disclose details of the case, citing a non-disclosure obligation regarding the proceedings.
“I have no right to report what happened in court. The next hearing will take place next Friday at 11 a.m.,” Mayorov said after the session.
He also commented on his client’s condition.
“Aziz’s condition is a cause for concern. He has not eaten for two days, but the entire detention facility suffered food poisoning because of poor-quality food. The issue is not that Aziz alone was poisoned; all detainees were affected. However, he has not lost his spirit. Aziz Hakimov remains in good fighting spirit,” the lawyer said.
According to Mayorov, the trial is unlikely to conclude in the coming days. In his view, at least two more hearings are expected.
Hakimov is charged with defamation, insult, war propaganda, and incitement of national, racial, ethnic, or religious hatred. The trial on the merits began on July 3. Because the proceedings are closed to the public, testimony, evidence examined by the court, and the parties’ positions are not being disclosed.
As of publication, the lawyer’s claim of mass food poisoning among detainees had not been officially confirmed by law enforcement authorities or the penitentiary system.
Aziz Hakimov, known by the pseudonym Comrade Aziz, became known for publications supporting Russia and Russian policies, including in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Hakimov was arrested in September last year.
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