Civilians, law enforcement officers die in recent mass unrest in Uzbekistan

Among the 18 who died during the riots in Nukus, the capital of Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan Republic, were 14 civilians and four law enforcement officers, Rustam Juraev, commander of the national guard of Uzbekistan, commandant of Karakalpakstan, where a state of emergency has been introduced, said, per Interfax.

“Directly at the place where the riots took place, 14 citizens died, of which 13 were under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Here, four law enforcement officers were killed while on their duty,” he told reporters on July 4.

Riots took place in Nukus, the capital of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, on July 1-2. Law enforcement agencies detained 516 people throughout the uproar. The Prosecutor General's Office of Uzbekistan launched a criminal case into encroachment on the constitutional order based on the facts collected during the mass disorder. As a result of the riots, 18 people died from serious injuries, and 243 were injured, of which 94 were hospitalized.

In accordance with the presidential decree, a state of emergency was introduced on the territory of the Republic of Karakalpakstan from July 3 to August 2. The upper and lower chambers of the Oliy Majlis (parliament) of Uzbekistan approved the document.