Unexpected new evidence was presented at the final court session of the appeal instance in the criminal case concerning entrepreneur and blogger Sanjar Karimov, known as “Sanjik”. According to the defense, circumstances have been identified indicating that another person named Sanjar, aside from Sanjar Karimov, may be involved in this case.
This was reported to EFFECT.UZ by Sanjar Karimov’s lawyer Oybek Ashurov.
As a reminder, in May of this year, by the verdict of the Mirzo Ulugbek District Court for Criminal Cases, Sanjar Karimov was found guilty of committing crimes stipulated under Part 1 of Article 112, paragraph "a" of Part 4 of Article 168, and Part 2 of Article 273 of the Criminal Code, and was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment.
Based on the appeal filed against this verdict, the consideration of the case in appellate order began on June 29 at the Tashkent City Court for Criminal Cases. Karimov is being defended in this process by 10 lawyers.
The court session is being held with the panel consisting of presiding judge Abdullajon Muhiddinov, reporting judge Umidbek Musayev, and judicial panel member Anvar Dusmurodov.
During the latest court session, Sanjar Karimov was given the opportunity to deliver his final speech. He stated that he is being tried for the first time in his life and that he became a defendant simply for trying to help people.
Karimov also emphasized that he did not deceive anyone, but rather was deceived himself. He stated that he was not engaged in drug trafficking, as his legal income from entrepreneurial activities is sufficient.
He asked that, if the evidence presented during the trial is not taken into account, the assigned sentence at least be replaced with house arrest.
However, just as the verdict was expected to be announced, the defense presented new evidence brought from the USA to the judicial panel.
According to the lawyers, this evidence necessitates a reevaluation of certain circumstances of the case. In particular, the defense stated that there is evidence regarding the involvement of another person named Sanjar, aside from Sanjar Karimov, in this criminal case.
Additionally, the lawyer added that the possibility of the accusations made by Shahlo Alimboyeva and Feruza Rahmatullayeva against Sanjar Karimov being groundless or staged has also been raised.
The documents provided by the defense were also shared with EFFECT.UZ. However, due to circumstances related to investigative secrecy, the editorial office decided not to disclose this evidence for now.
As a result, the judicial panel chaired by judge Abdullajon Muhiddinov decided to resume the judicial investigation, taking into account the new circumstances and submitted evidence.
Therefore, the verdict was not announced at the final session where Sanjar Karimov's acquittal or the retention of the previous sentence was expected. The court hearings were postponed for an indefinite period.
Follow the court proceedings regarding the “Real Sanjik” case in detail on EFFECT.UZ.
