In recent months, the political opposition movement “Erkin O’zbekiston” has been publishing investigative materials exposing large-scale embezzlement of state funds allocated for Uzbekistan’s defense sector and uncovering the fabricated assassination attempt on Uzbek citizen Komil Allamjonov. In response to these revelations, Uzbek authorities have initiated a criminal case against the founder of “Erkin O’zbekiston,” Mr. Hasanboy Burhanov, under Article 162 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code for “Disclosure of State Secrets.”

On March 17-18, 2025, “Erkin O’zbekiston” participated in the OSCE ODIHR Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting I in Vienna. During the first and third sessions, Mr. Burhanov delivered statements exposing Mirziyoyev’s regime, revealing information that is heavily censored — even in the Western press.

Starting on March 20, the social media platforms of “Erkin O’zbekiston”—including YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram—came under a coordinated attack by Uzbekistan’s state-sponsored troll factories. The movement’s YouTube channel was blocked twice (March 25 and March 27), and both times, we managed to restore it.

However, the channel continues to receive takedown requests from fake accounts, and there is a significant risk of a third shutdown.

These state-controlled trolls, using fake profiles, submit fraudulent copyright claims to YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, demanding the removal of content they have no legitimate rights to.

As of April 2, 2025, the Facebook and Instagram pages of “Erkin O’zbekiston” remain blocked. Additionally, the movement’s official website has been inaccessible in Uzbekistan since January 5, 2023.

In a broader effort to silence the political opposition movement “Erkin O’zbekiston”, Uzbek authorities continue to engage in systematic intimidation and transnational repression against its founder and supporters.

Uzbek internet users who share “Erkin O’zbekiston’s” publications face targeted harassment, bullying, and stigmatization. During live broadcasts on our YouTube channel, they attempt to disrupt the possibility of clear communication between the movement activists and its supporters by generating audio interference and flooding the live chat with abusive comments and death threats.

As a symbol of freedom for the people of Uzbekistan, “Erkin O’zbekiston” remains a primary target of Mirziyoyev’s regime, which is determined to erase all references to the movement from the public sphere.

These actions, occurring ahead of the “EU–Central Asia” Summit, highlight the blatant disregard of Mirziyoyev’s regime for international legal norms, despite its commitments under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The increasing suppression of independent voices raises urgent concerns about Uzbekistan’s democratic future and calls for the response of the global community.