Uzbek President Announces Casualties Amid Riots in Autonomous Karakalpakstan

TASHKENT (Sputnik) - The riots in Nukus, the capital of Uzbekistan's region of Karakalpakstan, resulted in casualties among civilians and law enforcement officers, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on Sunday.

"Unfortunately, there are casualties among civilians and law enforcement officers," Mirziyoyev said, addressing the republic's parliamentarians and representatives of the older generation, as quoted by press secretary Sherzod Asadov.

Previously, his press secretary Sherzod Asadov said that the situation in the region has stabilized.

"It was noted that after yesterday's address of the head of state, the situation has stabilized and is returning to normal," Asadov wrote on Telegram, adding that the president of Uzbekistan has again arrived in Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan.

On Saturday, Mirziyoyev arrived in Nukus to address the republic's parliamentarians and representatives of the older generation. During the visit, the president proposed to preserve the clause on the republic's autonomy in the revised constitution of the country.

According to the press secretary, earlier in the day, Mirziyoyev held a video conference with all districts of Karakalpakstan, during which the heads of administrations and law enforcement agencies reported on the measures taken to ensure the safety and to strengthen law and order in the region.

On Friday, people gathered in central outdoor market area in Nukus, demanding the release of a local blogger who called for a protest against constitutional amendments. Protesters believe that Karakalpakstan may lose its right to secede from Uzbekistan if amendments are adopted. Following the unrest, Mirziyoyev declared a state of emergency in the republic from July 3 to August 2, and introduced a curfew.

Amending the Uzbek constitution was initiated by Mirziyoyev in late 2021, with a referendum to take place by the end of 2022. The draft legislation provides for over 200 amendments to 64 articles of the constitution, including the clause extending the presidential term from five to seven years, abolition of the death penalty, and prohibition of extraditing Uzbek citizens to foreign countries.