Four Uzbeks deported after Krasnoyarsk concert raid, Foreign Ministry comments

Following a raid in Krasnoyarsk, four Uzbek citizens were deported from Russia, while another four were placed in a temporary detention center for foreign nationals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan reported. Ministry official Ahror Burhonov noted that the event “was not coordinated with the relevant authorities of Krasnoyarsk region, which caused the incident.”

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On 22 September, Russian law enforcement officers conducted a raid at the “Korona” banquet hall in Yemelyanovsky district, Krasnoyarsk region, where dozens of migrants were checked.

According to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the special units and Rosgvardiya forces carried out the operation to identify “illegal migrants” and individuals involved in drug trafficking.

Kun.uz subscribers reported that a concert by Uzbek singer Jaloliddin Akhmadaliev was taking place at the venue. Police checked all 620 guests, identifying 210 as foreigners. No prohibited items or substances were found on them. The Russian side did not provide information on their citizenship.

Footage circulated online shows Rosgvardiya officers checking guests’ documents, inspecting some with service dogs, escorting groups of men shoulder to shoulder, and in some cases leading them away with hands cuffed.

In total, 26 foreigners were taken to the police station, eight of whom were found to be in Russia illegally. Police issued 19 administrative notices, citing violations of entry, residence, and immigration regulations by foreign nationals or stateless persons.

The Uzbek Migration Agency stated that the rights of its citizens would be fully protected following the raid.

“The Migration Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers dispatched a licensed lawyer to the site to protect the rights and interests of our citizens. At the same time, the incident is being reviewed in accordance with Russian law,” the agency said.

Later, MFA spokesperson Ahror Burhonov clarified that eight Uzbek citizens were found to have violated Russian residence rules. Four faced administrative fines and deportation, while the remaining four were placed in a temporary detention center for foreign nationals in Krasnoyarsk region.

The Uzbek Consulate General in Novosibirsk is taking urgent measures to provide legal assistance to the affected citizens.

Burhonov emphasized that the concert “was not coordinated with the relevant authorities of Krasnoyarsk region, which directly caused the incident.” He added that previous concerts organized in cooperation with city authorities had no issues and were arranged personally by Russian citizens.

The consulate stressed that such raids by law enforcement agencies in Krasnoyarsk should have a legal basis and should not interfere with cultural and recreational events. All necessary documents have been submitted to local authorities to provide a legal assessment of the actions taken by Russian security forces.

Reports indicate that in recent years, Russian law enforcement agencies have conducted repeated, often inhumane raids and inspections targeting Central Asian migrants, particularly Uzbek citizens. While instances of force and verbal abuse have been documented during such operations, the Russian side has not taken measures to address these concerns.