17 of our compatriots arrested on suspicion of forming an illegal religious organization

In Tashkent, 17 compatriots were detained by officers of the State Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs on suspicion of forming an illegal religious organization, the press service of the State Security Service reported.

The report notes that among them were 3 customs officers born between 1976 and 2001, a student at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, the deputy director of a technopark, the deputy director of a private driving school, individuals engaged in trade at the Sergeli-avto market, and others.

The group members are said to have received lessons from a person born in 1989 and currently in Egypt, as well as a student at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.

Currently, a criminal case has been initiated against the individuals who gave religious lessons under Article 216 of the Criminal Code (illegal formation of public associations or religious organizations) and investigative actions have been launched.

In Uzbekistan, where public religious education is limited, it is regrettable that those who have taken informal religious classes are being accused of forming a banned organization. At the same time, the exposure of such "crimes" against the backdrop of the announcement of the state's concept of religious policy raises a number of questions.