Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A citizen in Kokand has been convicted after expressing his intention to join an international terrorist organization.

According to law enforcement authorities, in 2021 the man created a Telegram channel where he shared extremist materials with nine subscribers. He also contacted an instructor and media propagandist from the international terrorist organization Katiba Tawhid wal-Jihad, operating in Syria, via Instagram and declared his readiness to join its ranks. In their correspondence, he discussed steps for traveling to Syria to participate in “jihad.”

Investigators revealed that he had also formed a group among his acquaintances and former classmates, encouraging them to make “hijrah” to Syria to join terrorist groups.

His activities were stopped following special operations conducted by the State Security Service and other law enforcement agencies.

The Furqat District Court found him guilty under Part 3, Paragraph “g” of Article 244¹ and Part 1 of Article 244² of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, sentencing him to six years in prison.