Jahongir Otajonov

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Jahongir Otajonov
Жаҳонгир Отажонов
Born (1978-09-29) 29 September 1978 (age 43)
Xorazm Region, Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic
Occupation
  • Musician
  • Politician
Political partyErk Democratic Party

Jahongir Otajonov (Uzbek Cyrillic: Жаҳонгир Отажонов; born 29 September 1978) is an Uzbek singer, musician, songwriter who ran as a candidate in the 2021 Uzbek presidential election.

Early life[]

Otajonov was born and raised in the Xorazm Region in the northwest of what was then the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic.[1] His uncle, Ortiq Otajonov, was a noted musician who was named as the People's Artist of Uzbekistan in 1991, as well as of Turkmenistan and Karakalpakstan in 1993.[2]

Music career[]

Otajonov was educated at the Glier Music School in Tashkent. He later graduated from the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan.[citation needed]

Otajonov gained popularity in Uzbekistan as a singer-songwriter with songs including "Arazlamang", "Oq kabutarlar", and "Dogʻman".[3]

2021 presidential campaign[]

On 20 January 2021, shortly after announcing his retirement from music, Otajonov declared his intention to stand as a candidate in the 2021 Uzbek presidential election on Instagram.[4][5] He pledged to transform Uzbekistan into "the best country in Central Asia".[6]

In accordance with Uzbek electoral rules stating candidates must stand as part of a registered political party, Otajonov initially announced he would be standing as the candidate for the newly established centre-right Xalq Manfaatlari party; by February 2021, he announced he had left the party following internal disagreements.[6]

In March 2021, Otajonov temporarily moved to Istanbul, Turkey, following harassment from pro-government protestors. While there, he reported being physically harassed by unknown individuals believed to be affiliated with the Uzbek government.[7][8]

In April 2021, the banned Erk Democratic Party named Otajonov as a potential candidate for their presidential nomination; he was declared the party's official candidate in May 2021. That same month, Otajonov returned to Uzbekistan.[9][6][10] During this time, a video of Otajonov's mother went viral on social media, wherein she asked him not to become a "traitor to the Motherland" by running as the Erk candidate; some queried whether she had been forced to say this by the Uzbek government operatives.[11]

On 27 June 2021, Otajonov was convicted of insulting police officers on social media.[12] This followed Otajonov complaining after his car was impounded by police following a political event.[13]

On 12 July 2021, Otajonov officially withdrew his candidacy from the presidential election, citing the pressures and dangers exposed to his family after a mob attacked a political meeting held between him and members of Erk.[14] He also announced he would be retiring from politics altogether.[15]

On 20 October 2021, shortly before the presidential campaign was scheduled to take place, Otajonov was banned from leaving Uzbekistan after attempting to board a flight to Turkey. Otajonov stemmed this was politically motivated, and stemmed from a false accusation that he had failed to pay child support.[4]

Discography[]

Albums[]

  • Konsert 2017 (Live)
  • Qaddi Baland (2018)
  • Jonli Ijro (2019)

Singles[]

  • Erka Kiyik (2019)
  • Jonim (2019)
  • Jingalamo (2019)
  • O'ynasin (2020)
  • Ajib Dunyo (2020)
  • Salom Bo'lsin (2021)

References[]

  1. ^ Bobojon, Shuhrat (30 October 2021). "Jahongir Otajonov "shariatga zid" bo'lgani uchun qo'shiq aytishni to'xtatganini e'lon qildi". Ozodlik radiosi (in Uzbek). Retrieved 2021-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ "Ушел из жизни народный артист Узбекистана Ортик Отажонов". Uzreport TV (in Russian). 17 May 2019. Retrieved 2021-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "Jahongir Otajonov - Dog'man". NBK Studio (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ a b Babajanov, Khurmat (23 October 2021). "Uzbekistan Clamps Down On Activists, Critics Ahead Of Presidential Election". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2021-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ Bobojon, Shuhrat (20 January 2021). "Собиқ қўшиқчи президент бўлмоқчи. Тармоқни титратган трендлар". Ozodlik radiosi (in Uzbek). Retrieved 2021-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b c "Жахонгир Отажонов заявил о планах баллотироваться в президенты". Gazeta.uz (in Russian). 20 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "Uzbek Activist Reveals 'Threatening' Video As He Prepares To Run For President". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "Видео: Жахонгир Отажонов раскритиковал политику Ислама Каримова". Upl.uz (in Russian). 10 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ "Uzbekistan: Social media personality reportedly arrested for insulting president | Eurasianet". Eurasianet. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "Uzbek Singer Otajonov Quits Presidential Race After Attack". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ Bobojon, Shuhrat (7 April 2021). "Она монологи. Тармоқни титратган трендлар". Ozodlik radiosi (in Uzbek). Retrieved 2021-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "Жаҳонгир Отажоновга суд ҳукми ўқилди - Bugun.uz". Bugun. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ Pannier, Bruce (18 July 2021). "Eliminating Presidential Candidates In Central Asia". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2021-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "HRW Warns Of Uzbek 'Rights Setbacks' That Expose Reform Failures Ahead Of Election". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ Lillis, Joanna (12 October 2021). "Uzbekistan: Spot the invisible election campaign | Eurasianet". Eurasianet. Retrieved 2021-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

External links[]

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