Year-to-date, the Investigation and Search Department of the Interior Ministry and its territorial divisions have been conducting intensified operation activity against nationwide organized crime groups engaged in extortion.
According to an individual living in Tashkent province, members of a group that arbitrarily implemented a "monthly fee" by pressuring and threatening taxi drivers in Tashkent’s Yashnobod district from the province were detained.
Reportedly, the boss of the gang is Sherzod Alimkulov, 36, who was previously convicted three times under Article 277 of the Criminal Code. He allegedly, together with his criminal accomplices, seriously injured the driver of GM Damas minivan and forcibly took away the car keys.
The gang also prevented drivers from moving in the designated route. The author of the complaint was threatened with harm to his life and health, and in exchange for continuing to drive in the Yashnabad district, they received an advance payment of 810 US dollars for 2 months. It is reported that the driver was arbitrarily banned from driving on the route due to his failure to make full payments.
The Interior Ministry reports that, as the head of state noted in his address to the parliament, the fight against extortionist gangs that had recently been putting themselves above the law will be carried out together with the entire society.
The Interior Ministry urged those who had fallen victim of the actions of any crime group to call the police.
