MFA: 60% of Uzbek citizens jailed in Russia convicted on drug charges

She noted that 60% of Uzbek citizens serving prison terms in Russia have been convicted of crimes related to drug trafficking and transportation.

According to her, sexual violence cases rank second among crimes committed by Uzbeks (12%), followed by:

• murder – 7%
• causing grievous bodily harm – about 5%
• theft – 4%
• fraud – 3%
• other crimes – 8%

Uzbeks face up to 12-hour checks at Russian airports

Nizamova stressed that after contract killings and terrorist attacks involving Uzbek citizens, attitudes toward them in Russia have changed.

“Flights from Uzbekistan are checked very thoroughly and for a very long time at airports. On average, for 6–8 hours. There have been cases where checks lasted 10 hours, even 12 hours. Imagine women with children sitting in the airport for 12 hours. This does not happen by chance. It is a negative consequence of the actions of our citizens abroad. Or take the more frequent raids in Russia. Until our citizens learn to follow the laws and respect the traditions and customs of other countries, the work carried out by us – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies, consulates – will not have the desired effect,” she explained.

Nevertheless, she noted that diplomatic missions visit deportation centers in Russia, Kazakhstan, Korea and Turkey, hold meetings with imprisoned citizens, and conduct explanatory and preventive work.

Deliberate crimes linked to pursuit of higher income

Nizamova pointed out that many citizens traveling abroad for the first time for work or study lack sufficient knowledge of local laws, languages and migration requirements.

As a result, some remain after their visas or registration expire, while others resort to forged documents, leading to administrative liability.

“There are also cases when our citizens commit crimes deliberately. Why? In pursuit of high income, to make money. In Uzbekistan we have the neighborhood system, right? There are elders, parents or community leaders in the neighborhood, there is oversight. But abroad, citizens find themselves outside this control and start behaving inappropriately. Or there are cases of disrespect toward the customs of the host country, its laws and regulations, cases of ignoring them,” she said.