Criminal group extorting money from Azerbaijanis arrested in Tashkent (video)

The Criminal Investigation Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has dismantled a criminal group of foreign nationals who were illegally extorting money from Azerbaijani citizens doing business in Uzbekistan. This was confirmed by the press service of the Ministry’s Rapid Investigation Department.

According to reports, a 1983-born Azerbaijani national, who operated a citrus fruit business with his brother in Bektemir district, filed a complaint with the Ministry on January 10, 2025. The complaint outlined a dispute that arose between the victim and an acquaintance of a Russian national while staying at a temporary residence in November 2024.

On December 15, 2024, the criminal group’s representative summoned another Azerbaijani national, born in 1974 and with a history of multiple convictions, to Tashkent. Under the pretense of insulting the victim with inappropriate remarks, the group pressured the victim into paying $5,000 as extortion. While the group collected $1,500 on December 15, they demanded an additional $3,500 from the victim.

On January 10, 2025, law enforcement agencies apprehended the suspects during a quick operation in Mirabad district as they were attempting to collect the remaining $3,500.

A criminal case has been initiated under Article 165, Part 2, Clause "v" of the Criminal Code. Three individuals have been detained in accordance with Article 227 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and investigations are ongoing.

Earlier, a separate criminal group engaged in the sale of powerful drugs was apprehended in the Sergeli and Yashnabad districts of Tashkent.