2 suspects detained for attempting to traffic women to Türkiye from Fergana (video)

Two individuals have been detained in Uzbekistan's Fergana region for allegedly attempting to recruit and send two women to Türkiye for human trafficking, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.

According to the ministry, a joint operation conducted by officers of the Fergana Regional Department of Internal Affairs and the State Security Service found that a woman registered in Pop district of Namangan region and residing in Buvayda district had conspired in advance with an acquaintance living in Istanbul, Türkiye, who was temporarily registered in Buvayda district.

Investigators said the suspects deceived two women from Uchko‘prik and Buvayda districts by promising them high-paying jobs in Istanbul. They also purchased electronic airline tickets to facilitate the women's travel to Türkiye.

However, the women's departure was prevented during a law enforcement operation at Tashkent International Airport before they could leave the country.

A criminal case has been opened in connection with the incident, and the investigation is ongoing.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs urged citizens not to trust promises made by individuals offering jobs abroad, to seek overseas employment only through legal channels, and to report suspicious offers to the relevant authorities.

Earlier, Uzbek nationals wanted for fraud for more than six years and allegedly involved in human trafficking were detained in Türkiye and returned to Uzbekistan.