The bodies of the victims were found on October 20 in two hotel rooms. Among them was the Russian journalist Inessa Papernaya and her friend.

Earlier, the death of a journalist who worked for the Lenta publication and the Profile magazine was reported by the Telegram channel Baza. According to the public, Inessa Papernaya came to Uzbekistan on vacation. She stayed at the Karaman Palace Hotel with her companion.

"On the evening of October 20, Inessa received a package. The hotel staff could not reach the guest, and no one answered the knock on the door either. We decided to open the room. There were two bodies inside: Papernaya and her friend," the message says.

According to the preliminary version, the death of three people was caused by poisoning of unknown etiology.

A criminal case has been opened on the fact of the incident under paragraph "a" of part 4 of Article 186 (performance of works or provision of services that do not meet safety requirements) of the Criminal Code.

A forensic medical examination has been appointed to determine the exact cause of death of the victims. An investigation is underway.