In Tashkent region, several men attempted to cause mass unrest due to the closed gas station
Citizens blocked the intercity highway with a truck, causing a large traffic jam on the roads.
In the Tashkent region, several men attempted to cause mass riots due to the closed gas station, Kun reports.
The incident occurred on March 4, 2025, in Chinaz. Two people aged 33 and 40 conspired to organize a mass riot. On March 3, one of them sent a video message through his Telegram profile to one of the groups, urging people not to go to the gas station, but to block the M-39 Tashkent—Termez highway to force officials to open the gas station.
On March 4, at approximately 11:40, two citizens arrived at the methane gas station. They intended to block the road and thereby provoke mass unrest. They called on drivers waiting in line to jointly block traffic, and then forced a citizen driving a HOWO truck to block the highway.
Thus, the perpetrators blocked the section of the Tashkent—Termez highway in the direction of the capital. As a result, a traffic jam formed on the road, and a crowd of citizens gathered. One of the instigators of the riots recorded the incident on his phone and shared the video in the Telegram group.
In court, the man partially admitted his guilt, denying that he had called for unrest or forced the driver to block the road. He was also accused of defamation and preparing, storing, and distributing materials that threatened public safety and order. He noted that he is the sole breadwinner of the family and asked the court for mercy.
His accomplice gave similar testimony. On October 13, the men were found guilty under Criminal Code Article 140 (Insult) paragraph “a” of part 3, Article 244-1 (Preparation, storage, distribution, or demonstration of materials that pose a threat to public safety and public order) paragraph “g” of part 3, and Article 244 (Mass riots).
He was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison. His accomplice was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison under Article 244, Part 2, Clauses “a, b” (Mass Unrest).
Recall that criminal liability has been established for preparing for mass riots. Financing potential insurgents is now also criminally punishable.
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