Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A high-profile criminal case has concluded in Tashkent with the sentencing of 46-year-old Obid Saparov, a resident of Kashkadarya Region, for his involvement in international terrorist organizations, participation in combat operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and connection to a rocket attack on Uzbek territory.

The Yakkasaray District Court found Saparov guilty of engaging in terrorist activities, including launching improvised rocket systems into Uzbekistan, as well as playing a role in terrorist attacks in Afghanistan.

According to the case files, since 2013 Saparov progressed from organizing a local religious-extremist group called “Jihodchilar” in Kashkadarya to becoming an active member of the “Islamic Movement of Turkestan” and later of “Islamic State Khorasan Province” (ISKP). He traveled repeatedly across countries such as Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to join militant factions and participate in terrorist operations.

Investigations revealed that Saparov underwent combat and sabotage training and took part in armed confrontations with government forces in Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as U.S. coalition troops. From 2016 to 2024, he operated under the protection of ISIS, handling recruitment, logistics, media propaganda, and the planning of terrorist attacks.

One of the gravest charges against him involved his role in the 5 July 2022 rocket attack on the city of Termez. Five rockets were launched from Afghan territory, striking residential areas and the city’s sanitation service, causing significant property damage. Evidence presented in court confirmed that Saparov personally stored, transported, and prepared the improvised rockets for launch under direct orders from an ISIS leader.

In addition, the court found Saparov complicit in organizing bombings near the Russian Embassy and a Sikh temple in Kabul, which claimed civilian lives. He was also found to have provided shelter and transport to militants involved in these attacks and to have stored explosive devices in his home.

Saparov was arrested in Pakistan in January 2025 and extradited to Uzbekistan. During the trial, he partially admitted guilt, expressed remorse, and asked the court to consider his family situation and his lack of a prior criminal record. Nonetheless, the court found him guilty under six articles of the Criminal Code, including terrorism, sabotage, undermining the constitutional order, membership in banned organizations, and dissemination of extremist materials.

The court sentenced Obid Saparov to 16 years in a general-regime correctional facility.

Fragments of the rockets, presented as material evidence, have been transferred to the Ministry of Defense for further examination and will be included in a separate criminal case related to the Termez rocket attack.