Woman arrested at Tashkent Airport for attempted trafficking of 2 girls abroad for prostitution

A woman attempting to traffic two young women to Turkey for prostitution has been apprehended at Tashkent International Airport as part of the “Safe Zone” preventive operation. The Tashkent Regional Main Department of Internal Affairs confirmed the arrest.  

The suspect, identified as N.K., a 24-year-old resident of Nurafshon, allegedly sought to profit from human trafficking by persuading two 21-year-old women—S.T. and M.M., residents of Bekabad and Orta Chirchik districts respectively—with promises of substantial earnings. Authorities caught N.K. with evidence while she was attempting to send the women to Istanbul, Turkey, through Tashkent International Airport.  

A criminal case has been initiated against the suspect under Article 135 of the Criminal Code, which addresses human trafficking. Investigations are currently underway.  

Under Uzbek law, individuals convicted of human trafficking can face penalties ranging from up to five years of restricted liberty to imprisonment for up to 12 years.  

This arrest follows a prior case in Turkey where a woman was detained for illegally confiscating documents from Uzbek citizens abroad and using them for exploitative purposes, including prostitution.