Nukus Airport attacked during unrest in Karakalpakstan - Uzbek Prosecutor General's Office

TASHKENT. July 4 (Interfax) - The Nukus International Airport in the Republic of Karakalpakstan in northwestern Uzbekistan was attacked in the course of illegal demonstrations that developed into unrest, Arbor Mamatov from the Uzbek Prosecutor General's Office said.

"Unknown persons assaulted a military roadblock in the Khojaly district, seized weapons, and attacked the Nukus International Airport," Mamatov said at a virtual press briefing on Monday.

About 300 people, who came to Nukus from other parts of the region, attacked 50 National Guard officers protecting the airport on July 2. The attackers seized walkie-talkies, batons, helmets, stun grenades and shields from the servicemen.

Mamatov said earlier that the Uzbek Prosecutor General's Office had opened a criminal case following the unrest in Nukus on counts of "an attack on the constitutional system of the Republic of Uzbekistan."

In his words, 18 people died as a result of the mass unrest in Nukus. According to the Uzbek National Guard, the unrest injured 243 people, and 94 of them were hospitalized.

Illegal demonstrations and unrest in Karakalpakstan's capital Nukus took place on July 1-2. The police detained 516 persons.