Main Department of Internal Affairs is carrying out operational investigative actions within the framework of the criminal case under Article 137 part 2, paragraph B ("Kidnapping"), Article 165 part 3, paragraph A ("Extortion") and Article 277 part 2, paragraph B ("Hooliganism") of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan to expose the criminal activities of an organized criminal group (OCG) that committed serious crimes in the territory of Tashkent city.

It is known that on 29 July this year at 22.00, on Bratskoye Cemetery Avenue which is located in Shota Rustaveli Street of Yakkasaray district, a criminal group of 7-8 people beat M.R., a citizen born in 1986, and forcibly put him in a car, took the victim to a flat, held the victim against his will and demanded money, using force against him. Also under pressure, the victim was forced to write a receipt stating that he had borrowed 860,000 US dollars from unknown persons from Turkey.

As it was established during the investigation, in June this year members of criminal group held citizen M.R against his will in an unknown house for 2 days while he was staying in Turkey. During that time members of OCG managed to register  by putting pressure 2 houses worth 300,000 USD (belong to victim's parents) located in Kibray district of Tashkent region to members of the criminal group. The victim feared attacks and pressure and did not contact law enforcement agencies or medical institutions about the situation. However, on 31 July, due to deteriorating health condition, he was hospitalised with a diagnosis of "closed craniocerebral injury, concussion, fracture of the right cheekbone, multiple lacerations on the body".

As a result of a series of operational and investigative measures carried out by Main Department of Internal Affairs of Tashkent city in cooperation with law enforcement agencies, two members of the OCG – U.D., born in 1990 (previously convicted under Article 164 - "Invasion" and Article 166 - "Robbery" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan) and F.Kh., born in 1991 (previously convicted under Article 168 -"Fraud" and Article 176 -"Making counterfeit money or securities, their transfer" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan ) were identified and arrested. Measures are being taken to identify and detain the remaining members of the criminal group.

On August 12 of this year, during the process of writing a protocol under Article 224 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan suspect U.D. suddenly fell down and lost consciousness, stating that he did not feel well.  An ambulance was called for the situation and first aid was provided by Internal Affair officers. Unfortunately, until emergency medical help arrived, U.D. died unconscious. According to the primary diagnosis, the death of the suspect was caused by "severe stage of liver cirrhosis, acute heart failure".

The Tashkent City Procurator's Office is currently investigating the case, and a medical examination has been appointed to establish the cause of U.D.'s death.