Istanbul Hands Over Human Trafficking Suspect to Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — As a result of joint operations conducted by the Ministries of Internal Affairs of Türkiye and Uzbekistan, Rahmatova Sanobar, born in 1974 and known by the nickname “Sonya,” was deported to Uzbekistan. She had been wanted on charges of human trafficking.

According to the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Istanbul, between 2013 and 2015 Rahmatova, acting as part of an organized criminal group, operated a brothel in Bangkok.

Women from Uzbekistan were lured with promises of high-paying jobs and sent via Kazakhstan to Thailand, where they were forced into prostitution.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan has called on citizens who may have fallen victim to Rahmatova’s actions to contact law enforcement agencies, their local departments, or the Consulate General in Istanbul.

The Ministry also noted an increase in reports of fraud cases and reminded the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to criminal schemes.