Miraziz Bazarov
Independent blogger and social-media commentator. Bazarov became known for outspoken criticism of corruption, lack of transparency in government finances, and calls for legal reforms (including decriminalising consensual same-sex relations) — issues he voiced on Telegram, TikTok, and other platforms.
He was placed under house arrest beginning 29 April 2021 pending trial and was later convicted and sentenced to a period of restricted freedom (equivalent to a non-custodial sentence) — though the legal status and restrictions on his liberty have remained in force since then. Reports indicate he was not serving a conventional prison sentence, but was subject to judicial restrictions.
He faced charges under:
-
Article 139, part 3(d) — libel (defamation) for mercenary or other base motives; and
-
Article 140 — insult under the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan.
These stemmed from complaints filed over remarks he made about teachers at a Tashkent school in a 2020 video.
Bazarov’s case became highly controversial because:
-
In late April 2021, authorities opened criminal proceedings shortly after he was viciously beaten by unidentified assailants — injuries included a fractured leg, concussion and internal bruising.
-
After hospitalization, he was remanded to house arrest without clear evidence of criminal intent.
-
His lawyer reported that multiple criminal cases were initiated simultaneously, including alleged “malicious hooliganism” tied to an unrelated public gathering and defamation claims.
-
Human rights monitors documented gross procedural violations, including illegal searches, failure to investigate the attack against him, and reliance on questionable forensic analyses.
His trial was related to multiple video posts made online, including a 2020 video that criticized a school’s staffing and alleged misdirection of international funds; prosecutors argued the statements constituted criminal defamation, although Bazarov and his defenders considered the content opinion and social commentary.
Rather than traditional detention in a colony or prison cell, Bazarov’s sentence carried house arrest and restrictions on movement and communication. His case did not result in long-term imprisonment; however, judicial supervision and criminal liability remain in place.
After the violent attack on 28 March 2021, Bazarov required hospitalization with serious injuries — including internal bruising, fractured bones and a concussion — and was under police surveillance during recovery.
There is no credible public information on later health issues beyond the documented consequences of the assault. Human rights groups criticized authorities for failing to properly investigate the attack and ensure his safety and recovery.
