A hearing began on July 24 at the Yashnabad District Criminal Court of Tashkent in a case that lists former Uzbekneftegaz Chairman Bahodirjon Sidikov among the defendants. Earlier, information displayed on the court schedule revealed the charges listed against each of the nine defendants. The presiding judge is Jasurbek Abdurashidovich Ubaydullayev.
The most serious charges are listed against Sidikov and Anarkulov
According to the court record, the most serious and most common charge in the case is Article 167 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code — embezzlement or misappropriation of entrusted property. It appears in the charges listed against all nine defendants.
Depending on the qualifying circumstances, Part 3 of this article provides for a prison sentence ranging from five to ten years. However, the same article stipulates that imprisonment or restriction of liberty shall not be imposed if the material damage caused has been compensated.
In addition, some defendants are charged under Article 205 of the Criminal Code — abuse of authority or official powers — and Article 209, which concerns official forgery.
| Defendant | Article 167 (Embezzlement or misappropriation) | Article 205 (Abuse of authority) | Article 209 (Official forgery) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahodirjon Sidikov | Part 1; Part 3, clauses “a”, “v” | Part 2, clauses “a”, “b” | Part 2, clauses “a”, “b” |
| Bakhtiyar Anarkulov | Part 3, clauses “a”, “v” | Part 2, clauses “a”, “b” | Part 2, clauses “a”, “b” |
| Ulugbek Usmonov | Part 3, clauses “a”, “v” | — | Part 2, clause “b” |
| Dilmurod Burkhonov | Part 3, clauses “a”, “v” | — | Part 2, clauses “a”, “b” |
| Alisher Ochilov | Part 3, clauses “a”, “v” | — | Part 2, clause “b” |
| Dilshod Khakberdiyev | Part 3, clauses “a”, “v” | — | Part 2, clauses “a”, “b” |
| Hamidulla Asatov | Part 3, clauses “a”, “v” | — | Part 2, clauses “a”, “b” |
| Masudjon Khoshimov | Part 3, clauses “a”, “v” | — | Part 2, clause “b” |
| Nodirjon Boboyev | Part 3, clauses “a”, “v” | — | — |
Among all nine defendants, only former Uzbekneftegaz Chairman Bahodirjon Sidikov and former Deputy Chairman Bakhtiyar Anarkulov are listed under charges of embezzlement or misappropriation, abuse of authority, and official forgery simultaneously. The remaining defendants face one or two articles of the Criminal Code.
Who else is involved in the case?
In addition to Sidikov and Anarkulov, the defendants include:
- Ulugbek Usmonov;
- Dilmurod Burkhonov;
- Alisher Ochilov;
- Dilshod Khakberdiyev;
- Hamidulla Asatov;
- Masudjon Khoshimov;
- Nodirjon Boboyev.
The court schedule indicates that most of them are charged with embezzlement or misappropriation and official forgery.
Nodirjon Boboyev is the only defendant who, according to the published information, is charged solely under Article 167 of the Criminal Code.
According to Uzbek media reports, the case involves representatives of the oil and gas sector and related companies. Previous reports identified the defendants as including Enter Engineering representative Ulugbek Usmonov, Eriell Management representative Nodirjon Boboyev, Uzbekneftegaz procurement department head Dilmurod Burkhonov, Maxsusenergogaz director Dilshod Khakberdiyev, Oilgasservisinvest director Alisher Ochilov, Petromaruz Uzbekistan head Hamidulla Asatov, and Oil Ravon Servis director Masudjon Khoshimov.
In August 2023, Ulugbek Usmonov was awarded the Mehnat Shuhrati (“Labor Glory”) Order under a presidential decree honoring citizens for their contribution to the country’s economic development.
What do the charges mean?
Article 167 of the Criminal Code establishes liability for embezzlement or misappropriation of property entrusted to, or under the control of, the offender. Part 3 applies in especially serious circumstances, including particularly large-scale damage or offenses committed by an organized group. The maximum penalty under this provision is ten years in prison.
Article 205 concerns abuse of authority or official powers. It covers the intentional use of an official position contrary to the interests of the service if such actions cause significant harm to state, public, or private interests. The maximum penalty under Part 2 is five years’ imprisonment, along with possible disqualification from certain positions or activities.
Article 209 concerns official forgery — the deliberate inclusion of false information in official documents or the preparation or issuance of false documents. Part 2 carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.
All three articles are among the most common charges in investigations involving state-owned enterprises and organizations with government participation. However, the specific clauses cited in this case are not among those classified as corruption offenses under the law adopted on June 22, 2026.
How the case relates to the president’s January statements
Alleged misconduct in the oil and gas sector drew significant public attention following a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in January 2026.
At the meeting, the president stated that major audits were underway at Uzbekneftegaz and the Agency for State Asset Management, and that embezzlement involving billions of soums had been uncovered.
He also raised the issue of accountability for officials responsible for oversight within those institutions.
“A legitimate question arises. If corruption flourished in these agencies for years, where were those responsible for security matters looking?” Mirziyoyev said during the meeting.
Following the meeting, law enforcement agencies were instructed to uncover corruption schemes and ensure the inevitability of punishment for those responsible.
What is known about Bahodirjon Sidikov?
Bahodirjon Sidikov served as Chairman of Uzbekneftegaz from March 2023. He had previously held the same position in 2019–2020.
In December 2025, it was announced that he had been relieved of his duties. The official explanation was that he was leaving for another job.
A month later, several media outlets, citing sources, reported that Sidikov had been detained as part of an investigation into alleged corruption-related offenses. Law enforcement agencies did not publicly disclose details of the criminal case at that time.
According to information available online, Bahodirjon Sidikov is currently 47 years old. He was born in the Fergana region and graduated from the Tashkent Financial Institute and Tashkent State Technical University.
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