Family of kidnapped citizen extorted for money in Tashkent (video)

A criminal case involving extortion was uncovered during a rapid operation conducted jointly by the Tashkent City Internal Affairs Department and the city division of the State Security Service, the agencies reported.

According to the information, two individuals, who had previously posed as street hooligans, attacked a citizen on Samarkand Darvoza Street in the Shaykhontohur district. They caused bodily injuries, forced the victim into a car, and then demanded $1,700 under threat of a knife. The victim was released after their family handed over the money.

A few days later, the suspects demanded an additional $1,400, followed by another $1,600. During interrogations, one of the suspects admitted to bringing a knife to one of the meetings.

A criminal case has been initiated against the suspects, identified as Nurmuhammad and Sanjar, under Article 165, Part 2, Clause “v” of the Criminal Code (extortion). They have been detained as a preventive measure, and the investigation is ongoing.

Since the beginning of 2026, law enforcement agencies have conducted a series of rapid operations across the country targeting organized criminal groups involved in street hooliganism, extortion, and violence.

According to the Rapid Response Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, these operations are part of intensified measures aimed at stabilizing the criminal situation and preventing serious and organized crimes.

It is worth noting that earlier, a woman in Bukhara was detained for demanding money from a friend to prevent the distribution of intimate photos.