Organized Crime Group Engaged in Extortion Detained in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Law enforcement authorities, including the Operational Investigation Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, its territorial units, the State Security Service, and the district prosecutor’s office in Almazar District, Tashkent, have dismantled an organized criminal group, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.

Investigations revealed that an 18-year-old resident of the capital, previously convicted of theft and hooliganism, formed a criminal group with his peers. Acting in collusion, the offenders posed as so-called “problem-solvers” for random passersby, intimidating and assaulting citizens to seize their property and money.

During the investigation, authorities uncovered a case of systematic extortion targeting another 18-year-old, whom the group had been monitoring for a prolonged period. They regularly demanded money from him, using physical violence and threats against him and his family in case of refusal or delayed payments.

Initially, the perpetrators seized 100 US dollars, later extorted 2.5 million soums and an additional 24.9 million soums. Under threat of violence, the victim was also forced to hand over 14,000 US dollars. The group members were caught red-handed while receiving part of this sum—2,000 US dollars.

A criminal case has been initiated against the suspects under points “b” and “v” of Part 2 of Article 165 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (“Extortion”). Investigative actions are ongoing.