Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbek citizen M.Kh., who had been on an international wanted list for an extended period on charges of human trafficking and illegal departure from the country, has been identified and detained in Türkiye before being returned to Uzbekistan, the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Istanbul said.
M.Kh. was placed on the international wanted list in connection with allegations of crimes under Article 135 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, concerning human trafficking, and Article 223, concerning illegal departure from the country.
According to the investigation materials, M.Kh., acting in prior agreement with other individuals, allegedly transported citizens to Thailand and Türkiye through Kazakhstan by deception. Investigators allege that she involved them in prostitution abroad.
Her whereabouts were established as a result of joint operational measures by the competent authorities of Uzbekistan and Türkiye. She was subsequently detained and returned to Uzbekistan in accordance with established procedures.
Law enforcement authorities emphasized that committing a crime and attempting to hide outside the country do not exempt a person from liability under the law.
