Odilkhon Ismoilov released from custody after appeal ruling

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Odilkhon Ismoilov, a former imam-khatib at mosques in Tashkent and founder of the Rayhon cafe chain, who was previously sentenced to eight years in prison, has been released from custody in the courtroom. The appeals court ruled that his sentence would be suspended, with a three-year probation period.

According to the press service of the Namangan Region courts, the regional court heard Ismoilov’s appeal in the criminal case on 12 October. The sentence under Article 167 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, which covers embezzlement or misappropriation, was upheld, but the court ruled under Article 72 that it should be considered suspended.

In reaching its decision, the court took into account the partial compensation of the damage caused. Some funds have already been transferred to a deposit account, while property belonging to the convicted man is to be transferred to the bank’s balance sheet at the bank’s request. Seized assets are also expected to be sold, with the proceeds used to repay the debt.

The court also considered that Ismoilov’s property and assets belonging to his close relatives were being used to compensate for the financial damage. Following the announcement of the ruling, the former imam-khatib was released directly in the courtroom.

In July, the Pap District Court found Ismoilov and six other defendants guilty of embezzlement, official forgery and offences involving document falsification. The other convicted defendants received various prison sentences.