Two arrested in Samarkand for torturing and extorting businessmen (video)

In the Payariq district of Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region, individuals who assaulted, intimidated, and extorted money from local businessmen have been arrested, the regional Department of Internal Affairs reported.

According to the department, as part of the “Safe and Healthy Country” operational-preventive measures, police received information about citizen J.A., born in 1983, who had been previously convicted five times under Articles 104 (intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm), 277 (hooliganism), 109 (intentional infliction of slight bodily harm), and 219 (resistance to a representative of the authorities or a person performing his civil duty) of the Criminal Code. Together with his accomplice, citizen B.O., born in 1996 and previously convicted under Article 169 (theft), he allegedly organized slander campaigns against entrepreneurs and exerted both mental and physical pressure on them to obtain material gain.

Investigations revealed that J.A. had set up an office in the building of his limited liability company, where he lured residents of the district under false accusations, stripped them naked, beat them, and recorded the assaults. The suspects reportedly threatened to publish these videos on social networks if the victims did not hand over money or other valuables.

During operational measures, B.O. was detained. A search revealed approximately three grams of narcotics in his possession, which were documented. When his mobile phone was examined in the presence of witnesses, videos were found showing J.A. and B.O. beating and humiliating citizens with metal chains.

Subsequently, J.A. was also apprehended. A search of his office uncovered metal chains and other tools allegedly used to torture victims, which were seized as evidence.

The investigation department of the Payariq District Department of Internal Affairs has opened a criminal case under Articles 112 (threat of murder or violence), 276 (illegal possession of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without intent to sell), and 277 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code. Preliminary investigative actions are underway. Authorities are urging other victims to contact the internal affairs bodies or call 102.

It is worth noting that a person previously associated with Bekzod Zafarov, son of the “thief-in-law” Bakhtiyor Kudratullayev (“Bakhti Tashkentsky”), and a member of an organized group led by Kudratullayev’s appointed “polozhenets” for the Samarkand region, was recently sentenced to eight years in prison.