The political opposition movement Erkin O’zbekiston claims that a deliberate political killing was carried out within Uzbekistan’s penal system. On the night of 25–26 February 2026, Ismoil Jakhongirov was eliminated in the disciplinary isolation unit of Colony No. 13 (Chirchik). He was a key witness in the fabricated case concerning the alleged “assassination attempt” on Komil Allamjonov, the boyfriend of Saida Mirziyoyeva, the head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan.

Chronology of the Killing

— 23 February: Under a contrived pretext, Jakhongirov was placed in the disciplinary isolation unit — an area of complete isolation where a prisoner’s life fully depends on the administration.

— 25 February (17:00 local time): A lawyer and prison staff recorded the prisoner as being in “full health”. Such visits are often used by the system to create a formal alibi before committing a crime.

— 26 February: Authorities informed relatives of a “suicide” by hanging.

— 27 February: Without an independent toxicological or forensic medical examination, the body – showing clear signs of violence — was handed over to the family. On the same day, a rushed burial was conducted under the supervision of security services.

Technical Implausibility of the Official Version

The claim of suicide in the isolation cell of Colony No. 13 does not withstand scrutiny. The regime of round-the-clock video surveillance, checks every 15 minutes, and the absence of structural elements in the cell suitable for attaching a noose make self-hanging technically impossible.

The liquidation of Jakhongirov occurred precisely when the official accusation began to collapse under the pressure of alternative investigations. As a direct participant in the events, he possessed information capable of completely disproving the narrative of the staged “assassination attempt”.

Political Responsibility

The Erkin O’zbekiston movement states: the physical elimination of a witness is an act of state terror aimed at concealing the role of the country’s top leadership in political manipulations. We place direct responsibility for what happened on the following individuals:

— Saida Mirziyoyeva (Head of the Presidential Administration) — as the principal political beneficiary and the person ordering the concealment of evidence.

— Botir Tursunov (First Deputy Chairman of the State Security Service) — for operational oversight, torture, and fabrication of case materials.

— Komil Allamjonov — for participation in the staging that became the pretext for repression.

A special role in legitimizing the killing was played by structures presenting themselves as independent media, including the Uzbek service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, as well as politically engaged “human rights defenders” (in particular Abdurakhman Tashanov), who functioned as an informational cover by legitimising the official falsehood.

Ismoil Jakhongirov did not fall victim to “tragic circumstances”. He was eliminated by the system in order to protect the image of “reformers”, behind which a cunning dictatorship is concealed.

The Erkin O’zbekiston movement believes that the death of Ismoil Jakhongirov cannot be treated as an ordinary incident. When a key witness dies in conditions of complete isolation and under full state control, it is the state that must ensure a transparent and independent investigation.

In our view, there is a high probability that without international oversight this case will not receive an objective assessment.

The Erkin O’zbekiston movement will seek a comprehensive and independent investigation, the prosecution of those responsible within national and international legal mechanisms, and the prevention of impunity – regardless of positions, status, or borders.