Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Law enforcement officials in Uzbekistan have detained four individuals as part of the investigation into the deaths of two Russian nationals at the Karaman Palace Hotel in Tashkent.

Among those arrested are the hotel owner, two salespeople of a heating boiler that was found to be outdated, and a plumber who violated installation standards.

They have been charged under Article 186, Part 4, Paragraph "a" of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, which holds individuals accountable for the production, sale, or provision of services that do not meet safety standards, resulting in the deaths of individuals.

The detainees have been remanded in custody.

According to the investigation, the tragedy occurred on 20 October 2024, when carbon monoxide leaked from a faulty heating boiler at the hotel.

As a result, three people died: 47-year-old Russian journalist Inessa Papernaya (from Lenta.ru), her 45-year-old companion Maxim Radchenko, and 48-year-old Uzbek citizen Khushnud Udekov.

The forensic medical examination concluded that the cause of death was acute poisoning from carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide, which led to asphyxiation. A comprehensive technical examination conducted by the Republican Center for Forensic Expertise named after Kh. Suleimanova confirmed that the heating boilers used in the hotel were outdated and had long exceeded their operational lifespan.