Four detained in hotel death case of Russian citizens

According to a source close to the investigation cited by Kun.uz, charges have been brought against hotel owner A. Khuzhakulov, boiler sellers Z. Jamoldinov and A. Yusupov, and plumber N. Kurbonov under Article 186, Part 4, Clause "a" of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (Production, storage, transportation, or sale of goods, performance of work, or provision of services that do not meet safety requirements and result in the death of people). They have been remanded into custody as a preventive measure.

Court documents reviewed by Kun.uz indicate that Z. Jamoldinov and A. Yusupov were engaged in selling heating boilers. Together with hotel owner A. Khuzhakulov and plumber N. Kurbonov, they installed the boiler at the "Karaman Palace Hotel." However, the boiler in question was outdated, past its service life, and had been modified. The siphon in the condensate drainage system had been removed.

As a result, the condensate drainage pipe was connected directly to the sewer system without a siphon. Additionally, the flues of the gas equipment were installed in violation of technical and regulatory requirements, and the boiler was operated without prior inspection of the flue systems.

Details of the deaths of Russians and a citizen of Uzbekistan

On October 20, 2024, carbon monoxide leaked from the heating boiler at the "Karaman Palace Hotel," leading to the deaths of three people: 47-year-old Russian journalist Inessa Papernaya (a staff member of Lenta.ru), her 45-year-old companion Maksim Radchenko, and 48-year-old Uzbek citizen Khushnud Udekov.

According to the forensic medical examination, death occurred due to acute poisoning from carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide, resulting in suffocation.

A comprehensive technical examination conducted by the Republican Center for Forensic Science named after Kh. Sulaimanova established that:

- The heating boilers installed in the hotel were outdated and had exceeded their service life.

- Structural changes had been made to the boilers: the siphon in the condensate drainage system had been removed, and the condensate drainage pipe was directly connected to the sewer system.

- Failure to comply with ventilation and air-conditioning requirements led to the carbon monoxide leak.

Chronology of events

Papernaya and Radchenko stayed at a hotel in the Mirabad district of Tashkent. On October 20, they did not show up for breakfast. Hotel staff received no response to their calls. When the room door was opened, the bodies of Papernaya and Radchenko were found in the bathroom. In another hotel room, the body of Khushnud Udekov was discovered.

Earlier, it was reported that traces of carbon monoxide poisoning were found in Papernaya's blood.