Tashkent, Uzbekistan – On 2 September, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov died at the age of 78, the statement of the Government and Parliament of Uzbekistan said.

“With the great sorrow in the heart we inform you that President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov passed away. Islam Karimov died in Tashkent on 2 September in the result of myocardial infarction cerebrovascular accident (stroke), leading to irreversible changes in the brain and multiple organ failure,” the statement said.

According to medical certificate, heart of Islam Karimov stopped at 20:15 Tashkent time. Attempted intensive resuscitation did not give results. Biological death was recorded at 20:55.

The statement said that in line with the wish of the President, he will be buried on 3 September in accordance with Muslim customs in his native city of Samarkand, where his parents are buried.

Farewell ceremony with the First President of Uzbekistan will be held in Samarkand on 3 September 2016.

Council of the Legislative Chamber, Council of Senate and Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan adopted a resolution on creation of the state commission on organization of funeral. The commission is led by Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyayev.

“We express our sincere and deep condolences to the family of President and all people of Uzbekistan in connection with this heavy and irreplaceable loss for all of us, the statement added.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov was hospitalized on 27 August. Later, his daughter Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva said that Islam Karimov is in intensive care after he suffered cerebral hemorrhage in the morning of 27 August.

On 2 September, Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan stated that health conditions of ailing President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov sharply worsened and doctors assess his state as critical, UzDaily.com report.

Islam Karimov was born on 30 January 1938. On 31 August 1991, Islam Karimov announced Independence of Uzbekistan. On 29 December 1991, Islam Karimov was elected as the President of Uzbekistan. Later, he was reelected several times to the post of the President.