He was sentenced to six years in prison but was granted release on January 12, 2025, because of health concerns.

According to a Kun.uz source, he had been battling illness for an extended period.

Born in 1950 in Tashkent, Salim Abduvaliyev holds a higher education degree and has served as the Deputy Chairman of the National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Uzbekistan Wrestling Association on a voluntary basis.

The 75-year-old businessman, who will mark his milestone birthday this year, was detained in early December 2023 on suspicion of unlawfully possessing firearms.

On March 19, 2024, the Mirobod District Court found him guilty under Article 248 (Illegal Handling of Firearms, Ammunition, Main Components of Firearms, Explosives, or Explosive Devices) of the Criminal Code. He was sentenced to six years in prison.

Due to his health condition, Salim Abduvaliyev was released on January 12, 2025, in accordance with Article 75 of the Criminal Code.

Article 75 of the Criminal Code (Exemption from Punishment Due to Illness or Loss of Work Capacity) stipulates that individuals diagnosed with a severe illness that prevents them from serving their sentence may be exempted from punishment.