Uzbekistan repatriates child who lost parents in Russia

An 11-year-old Uzbek boy, whose parents tragically died in a traffic accident in Russia, has been repatriated to Uzbekistan, according to the Children’s Ombudsman.

The incident occurred on April 14 in the Astrakhan region, Russia, where two cars collided, leading to the death of the boy’s parents. The child, born in 2013, sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized. After recovering, authorities explored options for his return to Uzbekistan and placement with relatives.

While his relatives arrived and initiated temporary guardianship paperwork, they lacked sufficient documentation to remove him from Russia.

The case drew attention from Russia’s Children’s Ombudsman, Maria Lvova-Belova, who reached out to Uzbekistan’s Children’s Ombudsman, Surayyo Rahmonova.

Through urgent cooperation between Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, Rostov-na-Donu Consulate, and Astrakhan’s Ministry of Social Development and Labor, the necessary documents for the child and his guardian were quickly processed, ensuring his safe return to Uzbekistan.

The boy has now been placed under the care of his maternal aunt, with the National Agency for Social Protection overseeing his official guardianship and psychological support.

Earlier, Uzbekistan’s Consulate General helped an Uzbek family in distress in Novosibirsk, Russia, facilitating their return to Tashkent.