A group of Russian and Azerbaijani nationals who extorted money from Azerbaijani nationals in Tashkent have been arrested.
According to the Rapid Operational Unit of the Interior Ministry, a crime group consisting of foreign nationals was targeting Azerbaijanis traders in Uzbekistan.
One of the victims, Azerbaijan-born, 41, was running a citrus fruit shopr with his brother at a market in Tashkent’s Bektemir district.
On January 10, the victim filed a complaint to the Rapid Operational Unit, stating that a quarrel had occurred in November 2024 while he was hosting a Russian acquaintance at his temporary residence.
Subsequently, a member of the crime group used the incident as a pretext to verbally insult the victim and, on December 15, 2024, called up an accomplice — an Azerbaijan-born, 50, who had a criminal record — to Tashkent.
Together, they pressured the victim, seeking to retaliate for the supposed insult and demanded $5,000. They took $1,500 on December 15 and demanded the remaining $3,500.
On January 10, 2025, during a covert operation in the Mirabad district, officers from the Rapid Operational Unit apprehended the suspects as they were receiving the remaining $3,500.
A criminal case has been opened under Part 2 of Extortion charge of the Criminal Code. While, three individuals have been arrested under Article 227 of the Criminal Procedural Code, with investigation underway.
