After the riots in Nukus opened a criminal case

Special forces of Uzbekistan. File photoTASHKENT, Jul 4 The Prosecutor General's Office of Uzbekistan opened a criminal case on the fact of unrest in Nukus, the capital of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, under the article «encroachment on the constitutional order of the Republic of Uzbekistan,» Abror Mamatov, prosecutor of the Prosecutor General's Office, said on Monday. An illegal demonstration was held in Nukus on July 1 over amendments to the Uzbek constitution. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan, public order in Karakalpakstan has been restored. According to local authorities, a group of organizers of the riots, who tried to seize the authorities of the region, was detained. Later, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev introduced a state of emergency in Karakalpakstan from July 3 to August 2, as well as a curfew from 19.00 Moscow time to 5.00 Moscow time for the specified period. On Sunday, the President of Uzbekistan said that due to the riots, there are casualties among the civilian population and law enforcement officers. During the conference call, it was noted that the situation in Karakalpakstan has stabilized and is returning to normal. In connection with this situation, in order to ensure the rule of law, a criminal case was initiated under part 4 of article 159 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan,» Mamatov said during an online briefing. This article provides for punishment up to imprisonment for up to five years.