Arbitrary Detention and Alleged Torture of Defence Lawyer Abdulaziz Razzokov: JPTi Highlights a Critical Rule-of-Law Test for Uzbekistan
- JPTi
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
On 22 January 2026, Justice pour Tous Internationale (JPTi) published a press release expressing serious concern over the arbitrary detention, alleged torture, and criminal prosecution of defence lawyer Abdulaziz Razzokovich Razzokov in Uzbekistan. The press release assesses the case in light of Uzbekistan’s international human rights obligations and situates it within the broader context of the country’s declared judicial and anti-corruption reforms.
Read the press release in English:
Ўзбек тилида матбуот баёноти:
Прочитать пресс-релиз на русском языке:
The press release highlights credible allegations of prolonged covert surveillance by the State Security Service, incommunicado detention, coercive treatment amounting to torture, interference with privileged lawyer–client communications, and serious procedural irregularities, including missing exculpatory evidence and closed court proceedings. JPTi underscores that the case arises directly from Mr Razzokov’s legitimate professional activities as a practising defence lawyer and raises concerns regarding the independence and safety of the legal profession as a whole.
At the same time, JPTi recalls and welcomes the public commitments repeatedly articulated by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to strengthen the rule of law, ensure genuine judicial independence, and combat corruption through lawful means. Drawing on its own prior engagement on anti-corruption governance in Uzbekistan, including work on the transparent and rights-based use of repatriated assets and exchanges with international partners such as the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, JPTi stresses that anti-corruption efforts cannot be pursued at the expense of due process, human dignity, or the independence of lawyers.
The organisation emphasises that the Razzokov case constitutes a critical test of whether Uzbekistan’s reform commitments are being implemented consistently and in good faith in practice. JPTi calls on the competent authorities to ensure an independent and effective investigation into the alleged violations, to guarantee Mr Razzokov’s safety, and to uphold international standards protecting lawyers from intimidation, retaliation, and unlawful interference. JPTi has also formally called upon the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman) to exercise her mandate and examine the case.
In the interest of accessibility and transparency, JPTi has published the full press release in both English and Uzbek. These documents are available below.
JPTi will continue to monitor developments closely and remains engaged with relevant international and domestic mechanisms to ensure that the rights of Mr Razzokov and the independence of the legal profession in Uzbekistan are effectively protected.
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