A well-known independent Muslim cleric from Uzbekistan, Alisher Tursunov, also known as Mubashshir Ahmad, is currently on trial in Tashkent for allegedly inciting religious hatred and promoting extremism against Israel. The charges, which could result in a prison sentence of five to eight years, are linked to his religious media project and social media posts supporting calls for jihad in response to violence in Gaza. Tursunov, who previously operated the popular Azon.uz channel, was extradited from Turkey earlier this year and has pleaded not guilty to the accusations. The case highlights ongoing tensions in Uzbekistan over religious freedom, with authorities increasingly restricting religious expression after a period of relative liberalization.