Author Archives: Marina Kozlova

About Marina Kozlova

Founder and Editor of Yep.uz. 30 years in international journalism (AP, UPI, Interfax, World Politics Review). Born in Tashkent, she lived in Europe for five years and has traveled extensively across Central Asia and the world. Translator, educator, and founder of the "Suhbat" Tashkent Book Club. Amateur chef and connoisseur of home cooking from many countries.

Uzbekistan and Turkey sign 2026 military cooperation plan and military medicine agreement

Minister of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan Lieutenant General Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov and Minister of National Defense of Turkey Yaşar Güler held interdelegation talks at the Ministry of National Defense of Turkey in Ankara. Following the meeting, the sides signed two documents: the “Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government

Mirziyoyev flies to Switzerland to sign the Board of Peace charter

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev flew on a working visit to Switzerland on January 21 at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump. The purpose of the trip is to participate in the ceremony for signing the charter of the Board of Peace, which is scheduled to take place in Davos. The establishment of the

Journalist Elyor Tojiboev sentenced to four years in a strict-regime colony. Links to the cases of Effect.uz and Taftish.uz

On January 20, 2026, the Margilan City Criminal Court found journalist Elyor Tojiboev guilty under a number of articles of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan and sentenced him to four years of imprisonment to be served in a strict-regime colony. In the information published by the press service of the courts of the Fergana Region,

How the population and agricultural census is being conducted in Uzbekistan

Information on the progress of efforts to organize and conduct the population and agricultural census in Uzbekistan was presented to Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the presidential press service reported on January 19. The materials presented noted that the census is viewed as a tool for scientifically grounded planning of demographic processes, assessment of labor resources, and development

Uzbekistan’s Interior Ministry accuses Taftish.uz staff of extortion and fraud

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

Taftish.uz staff detained in Tashkent on suspicion of extortion and fraud

The Main Department of Internal Affairs of the city of Tashkent reported the detention of five people, including employees of the news website Taftish.uz, on suspicion of committing crimes. According to the official statement of the Department, “on 16 January of the current year, on suspicion of committing crimes provided for by Articles 165 and

The United States suspends the issuance of immigrant visas to Uzbekistan, Russia, and 73 other countries

The United States suspends the issuance of immigrant visas to citizens of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and 72 other countries. The pause takes effect on January 21, 2026, and is linked to a review of U.S. migration policy aimed at preventing immigrants from using welfare and from becoming a “public charge.” “President Trump has made clear