Alisher Usmonov, the long-serving Head of the Presidential State Security Service (PSS) of Uzbekistan, has been abruptly dismissed from his post by presidential decree. The sudden shakeup follows a high-profile, fatal traffic collision in Tashkent involving a government escort detail, raising speculation that the security chief was ousted due to the incident.
The presidential press service officially confirmed his removal. Usmonov, who previously served as the Deputy Head of the State Security Service, had been in charge of the President's personal security apparatus since December 2020.
Sudden Ousting Sparks Speculation
While the official presidential decree did not explicitly outline the reasons for Usmonov’s sudden dismissal, local observers and independent media report a direct timeline connection to a major road accident in Tashkent's Mirzo-Ulugbek district.
The incident involved three specialized traffic patrol motorcycles escorting a high-speed convoy, which collided heavily with a Chevrolet Onix passenger vehicle. The collision resulted in the immediate death of one traffic police officer on the scene and left several others injured.
- The Incident: A high-speed collision on Durmon Yuli Street involving a presidential route escort.
- The Fallout: One officer killed, vehicle fires, and immense public scrutiny via leaked dashcam footage.
- The Official Response: Official ministries initially denied that the officers were escorting a VIP motorcade. However, footage showing a black Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van—a vehicle heavily associated with presidential security details—passing the intersection seconds prior quickly fueled public skepticism.
Because the Presidential State Security Service is legally mandated to secure the transport, exact routes, and advanced clearings for the head of state, the fatal breakdown in operational safety is widely believed to have prompted the immediate administrative fallout for Usmonov.
New Leadership Appointed
In a rapid succession move, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has appointed Rustam Jurayev to replace Usmonov as the new chief of the PSS. Jurayev steps into the role with extensive law enforcement experience, having served as the First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and the Head of the Public Security Department. Concurrent with his new role, Jurayev has also been promoted from the rank of Major General to Lieutenant General.
An official pre-investigative proceeding regarding the fatal accident remains ongoing as the new security leadership takes charge.
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