Russian deputy expelled from party for stating Uzbeks have historical rights to Siberia

The leadership of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) has expelled Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (KMAO) Duma deputy Khalid Tagi-Zade from party membership, though he has retained his parliamentary mandate and faction membership within the regional legislature, according to party officials.

State Duma deputy Mikhail Matveyev criticized Tagi-Zade:

“This provocateur has been expelled from the party, and his foolish statements have nothing to do with us. Given the context of a parliamentary debate on birth and death rates among indigenous peoples, his remarks appear calculated. They sound like justification for replacing local populations with migrants — an attack on all of Russia. Framing Uzbeks’ ‘historical rights’ to our land feels like it came from a pre-written manual. The FSB should investigate this ‘covert separatist’,” Matveyev wrote on his Telegram channel.

According to multiple sources cited by local media, Tagi-Zade may have abruptly left the region following the uproar caused by his comment during a KMAO Duma session, in which he suggested that “Uzbeks may return to their historical homeland in Yugra.” Some political insiders believe he has left for Azerbaijan.

“There are reports that Tagi-Zade has left Russian territory. Allegedly, he has gone on vacation to his historical homeland — Azerbaijan,” one source claimed.

However, at the time the news broke, this information could not be independently verified. Tagi-Zade has not responded to journalists’ calls since the Duma session on May 29, and he did not attend a June 2 meeting of the Duma’s Ethics Commission, which was reviewing his statements, according to URA.ru.

On May 30, videos circulated on social media showing Tagi-Zade, elected from the CPRF, stating during a parliamentary session that the Khanty-Mansi region could be viewed as a historical homeland for Uzbeks.

The controversy arose during a session where lawmakers were debating birth and mortality rates among local ethnic groups. Tagi-Zade claimed that Uzbek migrants coming to KMAO were "returning to their historical homeland," referencing the Siberian Khanate.

“There are different kinds of migrants. For example, regarding Uzbeks — parts of Yugra and Tyumen historically belonged to the Siberian Khanate. As we know, Kuchum Khan was its last ruler, and he belonged to the Shaybanid dynasty. That dynasty, in turn, was a ruling Uzbek lineage that emerged from the Bukhara Khanate” Tagi-Zade said during the session.

In response, the Duma chairperson asked him to return to more pressing matters.