Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) —
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Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Two cases involving the illegal organisation of Umrah pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia have been uncovered in Samarkand and Gulistan. Criminal cases have been opened in both instances, and investigations are underway.
Under Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 668 dated 12 October 2024, only organisations holding a special licence are authorised to arrange Umrah trips. The established procedure is intended to protect pilgrims’ rights and safety and ensure the provision of quality services.
The first case was uncovered in Samarkand during the “A Safe and Healthy Country” operational and preventive campaign.
An employee of a travel company specialising in domestic tourism offered to arrange Umrah trips for three people without the required licence or permits. He demanded US$1,200 from each person, or US$3,600 in total.
The man was caught red-handed while receiving the money in a joint operation by officers of the State Security Service’s Samarkand Region Department and the regional Department of Internal Affairs.
The second case was registered in Gulistan. A man born in 1974 received US$3,300 and 1.2 million soums to arrange a trip to Saudi Arabia for three people to perform religious rites through a travel company operating in Tashkent.
He was detained in a joint operation by officers of the State Security Service’s Syrdarya Region Department and the regional Department for Combating Economic Crimes.
Both cases involved the organisation of pilgrimages without the licence required by law. Investigative activities are continuing.
Editor notes (not for publication): None.
