Organizers of illegal Umrah trips for nearly 20,000 people detained

In Uzbekistan, individuals who illegally sent 19,547 citizens on Umrah pilgrimages have been detained. Over a two-year period, they collected a total of $22,846,590 in cash from pilgrims. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the case.

According to the investigation, a woman born in 1984 in Andijan region acted as an informal tour agent for Jalolquduq Aviatrans LLC and organized illegal Umrah trips involving a total of 19,547 citizens.

It was established that between 2024 and 2025, Jalolquduq Aviatrans LLC collected $22,846,590 in cash from citizens. The total damage caused to state and public interests amounted to 1,819,974,385 soums, while unpaid taxes and mandatory payments were calculated at 15,363,219,026 soums. As a result of the illegal activities, 534 citizens who had been sent to Saudi Arabia and left in difficult conditions without proper arrangements were returned to Uzbekistan via special flights.

In connection with the case, the Investigation Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs has opened criminal proceedings against 14 individuals under relevant articles of the Criminal Code. Thirteen of them have been detained.

It is worth noting that earlier, authorities announced the launch of the Unified Hajj and Umrah Portal in Uzbekistan, through which citizens can register online for pilgrimage queues.