Perpetrator of woman’s murder in Istanbul escaped to Navoi region

Earlier, it was reported that a 36-year-old Uzbek citizen, Zulaykho E. (name changed), was fatally stabbed in the throat in the Fatih district of Istanbul, one of the Turkish megacities with the largest Uzbek community.

According to Turkish media, the suspect in the murder was arrested in Uzbekistan’s Navoi region. Although Uzbek official authorities have not commented on the case, Turkish outlets report that the suspect, 46-year-old Akmaljon Rustamovich S., managed to flee from Turkey and hide at his home in the Navoi region, where he was detained by Uzbek law enforcement officers on September 27.

The murder took place on September 20 at around 21:30 in the Aksaray neighborhood of Istanbul’s Fatih district. The victim, an Uzbek woman whose real name was Khalimakhon Odilovna Akhmadova, was found dead in her apartment. Following the report, police, an investigative team, and emergency medical services arrived at the scene. It was determined that the woman had been fatally stabbed in the throat. Her body was taken to the Forensic Medicine Institute morgue. The Homicide Bureau of the Public Security Directorate launched an investigation and reviewed security camera footage.

CCTV recordings showed Uzbek citizen Akmaljon Rustamovich S. leaving the building. Investigators confirmed that the suspect had fled to Uzbekistan. To ensure his detention, homicide detectives coordinated with consular officials. It was reported that on September 27, he was arrested by Uzbek law enforcement officers in the Navoi region.

During questioning, the suspect claimed he had been intoxicated at the time of the crime. He also admitted traveling to Turkey to meet the woman and returning afterward. According to his statement, the victim had allegedly blackmailed him for money, which he claimed was the motive behind the murder. The reports indicate that his trial will be held in Uzbekistan.