Three Uzbek citizens who were sentenced to death in Malaysia on drug trafficking charges have had their sentences commuted and are expected to be eligible for release in 2030.

Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Amonullo Fayziyev said the three men remain alive after Malaysia's legal reforms paved the way for a review of their cases, The Caspian Post reports via Kun.uz.

The Uzbek nationals were arrested at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in September 2010 on suspicion of attempting to smuggle more than 12 kilograms of narcotics into Malaysia. They were later convicted and sentenced to death.

The Foreign Ministry said Uzbekistan's embassy in Malaysia submitted official clemency requests in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2020 to the Malaysian Foreign Ministry, Attorney General's Office, Supreme Court, and the country's King.

The case took a significant turn after Malaysia introduced a moratorium on executions in 2018. In 2024, a new law allowing courts to review death and life sentences came into force.

Following the legal changes, Malaysia's Federal Court commuted the men's death sentences to 30 years in prison.

Under Malaysia's prison regulations, including possible sentence reductions for good behavior, the three Uzbek citizens are expected to be released in 2030. They are currently serving their sentences at Kajang Prison.

The Uzbek Foreign Ministry said its embassy continues to hold regular consular meetings with the prisoners and is providing them with ongoing legal and consular assistance.