Andijan Police Detain Organized Crime Leader Who Ordered Businessman’s Murder

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Authorities in Andijan have detained the leader of an organized criminal group that planned the assassination of a local entrepreneur.

On 4 February, a businessman filed a report with the Andijan Department of Internal Affairs, warning of an imminent attempt on his life. According to his statement, a group of five individuals had hired a hitman for US$1,500 to carry out the murder, prompting law enforcement to intervene.

Working jointly with the prosecutor’s office and the regional police, the State Security Service conducted an operation in the Pakhtaabad district.

During the operation, the 42-year-old leader of the criminal group, known by the nickname “Ronaldo” and previously convicted, was caught in the act while handing over 300,000 soums to the hired hitman, who was born in 2000 and had prior convictions.

Subsequent actions led to the arrest of the remaining members of the group under “Ronaldo’s” leadership. Among them were a previously convicted head of the Pakhtaabad District Medical Association nicknamed “Chief Doctor,” a 42-year-old man known as “Boxer,” another man born in 1984, and a 23-year-old medical student.

A criminal case has been initiated under paragraph “p” of part 2, Article 97 in conjunction with Article 25 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (attempted premeditated murder committed by a group or organized crime member, or in the interests of such a group).

Investigations are ongoing.