Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  On 30 November, customs authorities at Abu Dhabi International Airport detained 31 Uzbek citizens who arrived on a Wizz Air flight from Tashkent.

The men were stopped at passport control and subjected to enhanced security checks.

Preliminary reports indicate that they were held in the airport’s transit area for security reasons and were not allowed to leave the premises.

The incident drew attention from Uzbekistan’s diplomatic representatives. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai took immediate action, engaging with airport authorities and UAE officials. Uzbek citizens were provided with three meals daily and access to medical care if required.

The press service of the Uzbek Embassy stated that all possible measures are being taken to resolve the situation.

This event follows recent turmoil linked to the murder of 28-year-old Rabbi Tzvi Kogan, a representative of the Chabad Jewish movement in Abu Dhabi. The high-profile crime, committed by three Uzbek nationals, has been described by Israeli authorities as an “anti-Semitic act of terror.”

The suspects, 28-year-olds Olimboy Tokhirovich and Makhmudjon Abdurahim, along with 33-year-old Azizbek Kamilovich, were swiftly apprehended by UAE law enforcement. They face charges that could result in the death penalty.

The UAE’s Ministry of Interior has declared its intent to respond firmly to threats to public safety. This could impact the visa-free travel agreement for Uzbek citizens, which has been in effect since February 2024.