According to the Rapid Response Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a criminal group consisting of foreign individuals was targeting Azerbaijani citizens engaged in entrepreneurial activities in Uzbekistan.

One of the victims, born in Azerbaijan in 1983, was running a citrus fruit business with his brother at a market in Tashkent’s Bektemir district.

On January 10 of this year, the victim submitted a complaint to the Rapid Response Department, stating that a misunderstanding had occurred in November 2024 while he was hosting a Russian acquaintance at his temporary residence.

Subsequently, a member of the criminal group used the incident as a pretext to verbally insult the victim and, on December 15, 2024, summoned an accomplice — a man born in Azerbaijan in 1974, who had a prior criminal record — to Tashkent.

Together, they pressured the victim, demanding accountability for the supposed insult and extorting $5,000. They managed to take $1,500 on December 15 and continued to demand the remaining $3,500.

On January 10, 2025, during a covert operation in the Mirabad district, officers from the Rapid Response Department apprehended the suspects as they were receiving the remaining $3,500.

A criminal case has been initiated under Article 165, Part 2 (Clause “v”) of the Criminal Code. Three individuals have been detained under Article 227 of the Criminal Procedural Code, and an investigation is underway.