Uzbekistan. A severe judgment for a taxi driver for recruiting for war in Ukraine

The Uzbek taxi driver, who tried to recruit his compatriots to the works offered by the Russians at the back of the front in Ukraine, was sentenced to more than seven years in prison. He was caught in the act.

40-year-old Uzbek had previously worked in Russiawhere he met a Russian named Dmitry. He offered him a job in enforcement areas “when baking bread or construction”. Uzbek replied that he could not go, but he would try to find people. He was supposed to get $ 400 to $ 1,000 for each.

After returning to their homeland, the taxi driver began to offer his passengers a trip to Ukrainepromising $ 2500-3000 monthly, obtaining Russian citizenship and various privileges. He said that it was not about direct participation in the fighting, but work at the back of the front, for example as bodyguards or cleaning.

The man was detained at the Fergan airport while trying to send one of the volunteers to Russia, whom he had already bought a ticket.

He regrets and claims he wasn't aware

In court, the taxi driver pleaded guilty. He stated that he regrets his actions and that he did not realize that his actions were a crime. He was convicted of the article of the Penal Code Uzbekistan providing for sentences for recruitment, training, financing or other material assistance for mercenaries serving in armed conflicts.

At the end of 2024, the Mediazona portal reported that so far at least 16 Uzbekistan citizens have been convicted in their country for participating in the war in Russia against Ukraine or attempts to drag on Russian troops. Radio freedom, however, points out that these data may be incomplete because the authorities in Tashkent do not officially publish them.

Uzbekistan's attitude towards the Russian invasion

Uzbekistan did not support Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Since the beginning of the war, in full -scale in February 2022, Tashkent has a neutral position, guided by the principle of respect for territorial integrity and the sovereignty of the states. Uzbekistan authorities did not recognize Crimea's annexation and four circuits of Ukraine through Russia and call on the end of the conflict by negotiations.

Uzbekistan did not join the sanctions imposed on Russia, but also officially does not help in bypassing them, fearing secondary sanctions. Western countries appreciate the balanced position of the Tashkent, maintaining with him more and more diplomatic and economic relations, as evidenced by the historic EU-Central Azja peak, which took place last week in Samarkand.

His host was President Szawkat Mirzijojew. The head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the chairman of the European Council Antonio Costa took part in it.