Salim Abduvaliyev, a 74-year-old businessman (known as Salimbay), who was sentenced to six years in prison in March 2024, was released from a penal colony due to health concerns, Kun.uz, Daryo and other media outlets reported. Abduvaliyev has been suffering from long-term health issues, according to them.
Gazeta.uz was unable to obtain confirmation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan. The Supreme Court also did not respond to a request.
Reports of Abduvaliyev’s arrest appeared in December 2023 during a large-scale raids on members of “street gangs” and criminal groups across Uzbekistan.
In March 2024, a court found the businessman guilty under part 2 of article 248 of the Criminal Code (illegal circulation of firearms, ammunition, main components of firearms, explosives, explosive devices, committed repeatedly or by a dangerous repeat offender). He was sentenced to six years in a general-regime colony.
In August 2023, Kyrgyzstan placed Salim Abduvaliyev on the Interpol wanted list.
Born in 1950, Salim Abduvaliyev since January 2017 was deputy chairperson of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan. He was also head of the Wrestling Association. For his contributions to sports, he was awarded the Dostlik (Friendship) order in 2015 and was granted the title of the Honored Sports Coach in 2021.
