Reports that Uzbek nationals involved in a brawl in Dubai were sentenced to death, denied

Earlier, reports circulated claiming that six Uzbek nationals who were involved in a brawl in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in April 2025 had been sentenced to death. It has now been clarified that they were instead sentenced to life imprisonment. This was confirmed to QALAMPIR.UZ by Akhror Burkhanov, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.

According to Burkhanov, eight Uzbek nationals who took part in a mass fight in the UAE in April 2025 were sentenced on January 21 this year to life imprisonment by a court ruling. In addition, one individual was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

He noted that relevant authorities and diplomatic missions are currently taking all necessary measures to fully review the situation and ensure the protection of the rights of Uzbek citizens.

The Dubai brawl

In April 2025, a violent clash occurred between two groups of Uzbek nationals at a gas station in Dubai. During the incident, two Uzbek citizens were killed. The conflict reportedly began when the victims arrived at the station to check the tire pressure of their vehicle, following a prior dispute. A police officer who was nearby at the time immediately alerted authorities.

Investigators determined that the two groups arrived at the gas station in separate vehicles. One of the victims exited a red Mercedes car and was checking the tires when he was attacked by a group of men. The second victim attempted to flee but was apprehended by another group and also assaulted.

Dubai police arrived at the scene, secured the area, and collected items left behind by the participants as evidence. Using surveillance camera footage and witness testimonies, law enforcement agencies were able to reconstruct the details of the incident.

As a result of the investigation, 11 individuals connected to the incident were detained, including key suspects who were arrested at a hotel in another emirate. During questioning, the suspects admitted their involvement, stating that the violence stemmed from previous personal disputes.

Authorities confirmed that the incident arose from a personal conflict, noting that the participants were previously acquainted and had unresolved disagreements. The case was subsequently referred to the прокуратура for further legal proceedings. Dubai police emphasized that such violent incidents are rare in the city and reiterated that Dubai remains one of the safest cities in the world.

Previously, in November last year, a UAE court sentenced three Uzbek nationals to death after they were found guilty of abducting and killing Jewish rabbi Zvi Kogan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan also confirmed to QALAMPIR.UZ that Uzbek citizens had been sentenced to death in that separate case.