Four Arrested in Hotel Death of Russian Tourists
A hotel owner, two boiler sellers, and a plumber have been detained in connection with the deaths of Russian journalist Inessa Papernaya and two others due to poisoning. The incident took place at the “Karaman Palace Hotel,” where a faulty and outdated heating boiler was installed with violations, leading to a leak of carbon monoxide.
According to documents obtained by Kun.uz, the boiler sellers, Z. Jamoldinov and A. Yusupov, along with the hotel owner, A. Khuzhakulov, and plumber, N. Kurbonov, installed the defective boiler at the hotel. The siphon in the condensate drainage system was removed, and the flues of the gas equipment were installed incorrectly, causing the carbon monoxide leak.
Charges have been brought against the individuals under Article 186, Part 4, Clause “a” of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan for their involvement in the production, storage, transportation, or sale of goods that did not meet safety requirements and resulted in the death of people. They have been remanded into custody as a preventive measure.
The deaths of Papernaya, her companion Maksim Radchenko, and Uzbek citizen Khushnud Udekov occurred on October 20, 2024, due to acute poisoning from carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide, leading to suffocation. A forensic examination revealed that the heating boilers at the hotel were outdated, structurally modified, and did not meet safety standards, resulting in the fatal incident.
The investigation revealed that the victims did not respond to calls for breakfast, leading hotel staff to discover their bodies in the bathroom. Traces of carbon monoxide poisoning were found in Papernaya’s blood, further confirming the cause of death. The individuals responsible for the faulty installation of the heating boiler are now facing legal consequences for their negligence and disregard for safety protocols.
