Uzbekistan: Arbitrary detention, alleged torture and ill-treatment, and prosecution of defence lawyer Abdulaziz Razzokov
26 January 2026
The OIAD deeply concerned about the arbitrary detention, alleged torture and other forms of ill-treatment, and criminal prosecution of Abdulaziz Razzokov, a practising defence lawyer in Uzbekistan.
Charged with “corruption”, Mr Razzokov was reportedly subjected to prolonged covert surveillance by the State Security Service before being placed in detention under conditions that raise serious concerns under international human rights law. Some allegations refer to incommunicado detention, coercive treatment amounting to torture or other ill-treatment, and serious breaches of professional secrecy, including interference with confidential lawyer–client communications.
The criminal proceedings against Mr Razzokov appear to be marred by multiple procedural irregularities, including the reported lack of key exculpatory evidence, reliance on material allegedly obtained under coercion, and the holding of key hearings behind closed doors. The charges brought against him appear closely linked to his legitimate activities as a defence lawyer, raising serious fears of reprisal for the exercise of his professional duties.
This case arises in a broader context in which the Uzbek authorities have publicly committed to strengthening judicial independence, the rule of law, and the fight against corruption. However, the treatment of Mr Razzokov raises concerns that these reform commitments are not being consistently implemented in practice, particularly with respect to the protection of lawyers from intimidation, pressure, and arbitrary prosecution.
The Observatory recalls that Uzbekistan’s international obligations require the absolute prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, the protection of the independence of the legal profession, and strict respect for fair trial guarantees, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
The Observatory calls on the Uzbek authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr Razzokov, to guarantee his physical and psychological integrity, and to ensure that all allegations of torture and ill-treatment are promptly, independently, and effectively investigated. It further urges the authorities to ensure that all proceedings against him fully comply with international standards on due process, fair trial, and the independence of lawyers.
Source: Justice pour Tous Internationale (JPTi), “Arbitrary detention and alleged torture of defence lawyer Abdulaziz Razzokov: JPTi highlights a critical rule of law test for Uzbekistan”, 22 January 2026, available at: https://www.jpti.ch/post/arbitrary-detention-and-alleged-torture-of-defence-lawyer-abdulaziz-razzokov-jpti-highlights-a-crit
