Suspected Human Trafficker Detained in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In Tashkent, law enforcement authorities detained a suspect in a human trafficking case during a coordinated operation.

According to the State Security Service of Uzbekistan, officers of the Tashkent city department together with internal affairs bodies conducted an оперативное мероприятие as part of efforts to combat human trafficking.

During the operation, a member of a criminal group involved in recruiting girls for subsequent sexual exploitation abroad was detained in the capital.

The investigation indicates that a woman born in 2002, originally from the Bostanlyk district of Tashkent region, allegedly deceived and recruited four girls.

She was detained at Tashkent International Airport while attempting to travel to Dubai together with one of the victims.

A criminal case has been opened against her under paragraph “z” of part 2 of Article 135 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (human trafficking).

She has been placed in pre-trial detention, and investigative actions are ongoing.

Under current legislation, such offenses are punishable by imprisonment for a term of 5 to 10 years.