Salim Abduvaliev, a well-known Uzbek authority figure who is also popularly known as "Salimboyvacha" among the people and was wanted by Kyrgyz authorities, made his first public appearance in Tashkent on July 27 of this year. A video circulating on social media shows him entering the "Yakkasaroy" wedding venue with former banker Muhiddin Asomutdinov.
The rapid spread of the video on social media sparked heated debates among users. The reason—"Salimboyvacha," who was released from prison on January 12, 2025, due to deteriorating health, appears healthy and active in the video. However, the exact event he attended has not been officially disclosed.
Salim Abduvaliev himself was arrested in Tashkent on December 1, 2023, during the "Dolzarb 40-day" events. The Prosecutor's Office charged him under Part 2 of Article 248 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan—illegal trafficking of weapons and explosives. The court found him guilty and sentenced him to six years in prison, ordering him to serve his term in a general-regime penal colony.
However, due to his illness, he was released from punishment on January 12 of this year under Article 75 of the Criminal Code. This article considers cases where a convicted person cannot serve their sentence due to a severe illness or mental condition. Yet, in the video being debated on social media, Abduvaliev does not appear to be someone suffering from a serious health condition.
In August 2024, the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan initiated a criminal case against Salim Abduvaliev. The Oktyabr District Court of Bishkek imposed a preventive measure of detention in absentia, and Abduvaliev was declared internationally wanted through Interpol.
Two days before his first public appearance, on July 24, former Kyrgyz law enforcement officer Jalil Atambaev was arrested.
To reiterate, the Kyrgyz government has declared him internationally wanted, and the Bishkek court has authorized his arrest in absentia. Meanwhile, a former Kyrgyz official suspected of ties to him is currently under investigation.
