Salamat Seitmuratov
Blogger, creator of “Halyk TV” channel
Imprisoned (5-year sentence)
Extortion — Article 165 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan. Authorities alleged he demanded money in connection with his blogging/journalistic activity.
Tried with Mustafa Tursynbaev; convicted by Nukus District Court on 20 March 2024. Salamat Seitmuratov is a Karakalpak blogger and the creator of the independent YouTube channel Halyk TV, which had around 45.5 thousand subscribers a significant audience in Karakalpakstan for reporting on social and community issues. Like his co-defendant Mustafa Tursynbaev, Salamat’s prosecution is seen as part of a broader pattern of restricting independent journalists and bloggers who cover social issues and hold authorities to account.
5 years’ imprisonment (general regime); appellate judgment upheld. Amid heightened public attention to the cases of Tursynbaev and Seitmuratov, the Uzbek authorities restricted access to information: state-controlled media did not report on the trial, the bloggers’ relatives complained that they were unable to obtain copies of the verdict, and only the text of the appellate ruling containing numerous redactions was published on the website of the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan.
No available information
