Illegal attempts to send Haj pilgrims were detected in Tashkent and Qoqon

In Tashkent and Ko'kan, unlawful instances regarding the dispatching of Hajj-2024 pilgrims were detected, as reported by the Safety Service of the State.

In one instance, an individual residing in the Chilonzor district of Tashkent, born in 1983, solicited 8.5 thousand US dollars from a resident of Shaikhontohur district, promising to arrange visa documents for a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. The individual was apprehended while accepting the payment.

Another case involved an employee of a tourism company in the capital, caught accepting 5,500 US dollars to facilitate a citizen's pilgrimage to Hajj using falsified documents.

Furthermore, a manager and employee from another travel agency deceived a Yashnobod district resident, demanding 8.5 thousand US dollars for a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in the current Hajj-2024 season. They were apprehended while receiving 4 thousand US dollars.

Similarly, in Qoqon City, a tourism company manager was arrested for demanding 12 thousand US dollars and receiving 10 thousand US dollars to send two citizens for Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

In Qoqon, an employee of a different tourism company was apprehended for requesting 6 thousand US dollars from a local citizen for the Hajj pilgrimage and receiving 3 thousand US dollars.

The report stated that criminal cases had been initiated against these individuals, with preliminary investigations underway.

It's important to note that the organization of Hajj events for Uzbeks is governed annually by the Committee on Religious Affairs of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, according to a decision by the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan dated June 7, 2017. Unauthorized organizations are prohibited from engaging in such activities.

Saudi Arabia's regulations stipulate that the primary condition for performing a Hajj pilgrimage for foreign citizens is to possess a Hajj visa. Any other type of visa, including Umrah, tourism, or business visas, is prohibited for Hajj pilgrimage. Violators face deportation, a 10-year ban from entering Saudi Arabia, and a fine of 50,000 Saudi Riyals.