Uzbekistan President Reports Casualties from Unrest in Nukus
Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced today that there have been casualties among civilians and law enforcement officials during the unrest in Nukus, the administrative center of Karakalpakstan. He visited Nukus again today, where disturbances occurred two days ago due to proposed constitutional changes.
“Sadly, there are casualties among peaceful residents and law enforcement,” said Mirziyoyev while addressing representatives of Karakalpak autonomy. His words were quoted on Telegram by the Deputy Head of the Administration, Sherzod Asadov, who is also Mirziyoyev's press secretary.
The president clarified that several groups inciting unrest attempted to seize control of the buildings of the city’s Internal Affairs Directorate and the National Guard, aiming to confiscate weapons. “Taking advantage of their numerical superiority, these individuals attacked law enforcement officers, brutally beating them and inflicting serious injuries,” added Mirziyoyev.