Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 3 January, the appellate instance of the Tashkent City Criminal Court decided to release Gayrat Dustov early, reducing his initial 15-day detention for “petty hooliganism” (Article 183 of Uzbekistan’s Code of Administrative Offenses) to 8 days. Dustov had been arrested following an incident at a gas station in the Bektemir district of Tashkent.

The hearing, presided over by Judge Farrukh Ergashev, reviewed the appeal against the verdict issued by the Bektemir District Court, where Judge Durdona Dadakhonova had initially sentenced Dustov.

During the court session, Dustov reportedly felt unwell and complained of chest pain. His family attempted to assist him by giving him water, and about half an hour later, an ambulance arrived, providing the necessary medical attention.

In his testimony, Dustov explained that on 25 December, he had been taken to the Bektemir district police department, then transferred to court. Following the 15-day detention ruling, he spent one day in a detention center before being moved to the Tashkent Main Department of Internal Affairs the next day.

Dustov emphasized that he had not been subjected to torture or physical abuse but noted that a bag was placed over his head, and he was taken to a basement room.

He firmly denied the accusations made by the gas station manager, Niyoz Hasanov, stating that he neither insulted him nor engaged in any conflict. Dustov expressed his belief that he had been falsely accused.

In his final statement, Dustov remarked that while Uzbekistan’s laws are well-written, it is essential that they be applied fairly. When asked by the judge if he regretted the incident, Dustov admitted it was not worth the trouble, apologized, and requested a reduction in his sentence.

After deliberations, the court partially upheld Dustov’s appeal, reducing his detention from 15 to 8 days. He was subsequently released from custody.