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Uzbekistan Leads Repatriation of Deported Citizens from the U.S.

A group of 131 individuals from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan were repatriated from the United States this week on a special charter flight, Fox News reports. The flight, organized and funded by the government of Uzbekistan, followed a bilateral agreement with U.S. authorities and reflects expanding cooperation between the two countries on migration and security issues. Departing the U.S. on April 30, the flight primarily carried Uzbek nationals who had been living in the United States without legal status. According to the agreement, Uzbek citizens were transported to Tashkent, while those from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are expected to continue on to their respective home countries. U.S. officials welcomed Uzbekistan’s role in facilitating the repatriation. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem expressed appreciation for the initiative. “We commend Uzbekistan for sending a flight to return 131 illegal aliens back to their home country,” she said. “This shows the strong security ties between our countries.” Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the repatriation was conducted in accordance with international standards and aimed to protect the rights of Uzbek citizens in difficult legal and humanitarian situations abroad. Most of those returned had overstayed their visas or were found in violation of U.S. immigration laws. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington, D.C., and the Consulate General in New York played key roles in organizing the repatriation process. Both diplomatic missions maintained close coordination with U.S. immigration authorities and provided support to citizens throughout their return journey. This was not Uzbekistan’s first such operation. Earlier this year, the country repatriated seven citizens from the United States to Tashkent after preventing their transfer to Costa Rica. That effort also followed high-level consultations between officials from both governments. With a population exceeding 37 million, Uzbekistan continues to enhance its collaboration with the United States on migration management, repatriation procedures, and broader regional security cooperation.

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Uzbekistan and Russia Hold First Meeting on Labor Migration and Migrant Rights

On April 29, an interagency delegation from Uzbekistan visited Moscow for the inaugural session of the Uzbekistan–Russia working group on labor migration and migrant rights. The Prosecutor General’s Office of Uzbekistan reported that the delegation was led by Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prosecutor General Shohrukh Aminov. The Russian delegation was headed by Deputy Prosecutor General Pyotr Gorodov and included representatives from the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Federal Security Service, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs. Uzbekistan’s delegation comprised officials from the Prosecutor General’s Office, the State Security Service, the Migration Agency, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, and Health. During the meeting, the two sides discussed the current state of labor migration, identified ongoing challenges, and explored potential solutions. They agreed to develop joint measures to regulate legal migration while balancing the interests of both countries. The delegations also agreed to strengthen oversight of the rights of Uzbek citizens working in Russia and Russian citizens visiting Uzbekistan. Both countries’ Prosecutor General’s Offices pledged to closely monitor the protection of migrant rights. At the conclusion of the meeting, a protocol was signed outlining the decisions made. The implementation of these agreements will be jointly monitored by both Prosecutor General’s Offices. The session followed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recent visit to Uzbekistan, during which he stressed the importance of migrants understanding Russian laws and language. While warning of an increase in migrant-related crime, he also acknowledged Russia’s ongoing need for foreign labor.

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Visa-Free Deal Under Review After Arrests of Uzbek Citizens in Dubai

The visa-free arrangement between Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates could be in jeopardy because of the increase in alleged violations by Uzbek citizens in the emirates, according to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The leadership of the Dubai Criminal Investigation Department told Uzbek diplomats in a meeting that 15 Uzbek nationals had been detained in an incident and an investigation was underway, Akhror Burkhanov, spokesman for the Uzbek ministry, said on Telegram. Several Uzbek media outlets have reported that two groups of Uzbeks clashed in a street brawl this month and that some of them were stabbed. Some reports said one person was killed. In the meeting between Uzbek and UAE officials, it was noted “that the recent increase in violations committed by Uzbek citizens could affect the visa-free regime between the two countries,” Burkhanov said in the post on Friday. He said the foreign ministry is working with law enforcement agencies on the matter and urged Uzbek citizens “to refrain from actions that tarnish the honor of our compatriots abroad.” In March, a court in Abu Dhabi sentenced three Uzbek citizens to death after they were convicted of abducting and murdering Zvi Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi whose body was discovered in the Emirati city of Al Ain in November 2024. A fourth person convicted in the killing was sentenced to life in prison. An emissary for the ultra-Orthodox Chabad Hasidic movement in the UAE, Kogan also served as an aide to his brother-in-law, Levi Duchman, the Chief Rabbi of the UAE, who normalized ties with Israel in late 2020, a move met with skepticism in the UAE and across the wider Muslim world. Israel said the killing of Kogan was an act of terror. Some Uzbek citizens, meanwhile, have encountered problems trying to enter the United Arab Emirates. The visa-free regime between Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates started early last year. Citizens can travel to each other´s countries without a visa if they don’t stay any longer than 30 days. “This measure is considered an important step towards enhancing joint cooperation in the fields of politics, economics, culture, education and other areas of common interest,” the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

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Lawyers Challenge Death Sentences of Uzbeks Convicted of UAE Rabbi Murder

Three Uzbek citizens sentenced to death in the United Arab Emirates are at the center of growing international concern over the fairness of their trial and the potential political influences behind the case. On March 30, the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal handed down death sentences to Olimboy Tohirovich (29), Mahmudjon Abdurahim (29), and Azizbek Komilovich (34), after convicting them of the murder of Zvi Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan dual national whose body was discovered in the Emirati city of Al Ain in November 2024. A fourth individual received a life sentence for aiding the accused. UAE authorities have linked the case to terrorism. Following the verdict, the Worldwide Lawyers Association (WOLAS), established by lawyers and academics working in Turkiye with the aim of conducting activities in the international arena, raised alarm about potential violations of international legal standards. In a statement, WOLAS cited possible political pressure, opaque legal proceedings, and concerns that confessions may have been obtained under duress. WOLAS has sent formal appeals to the governments of the UAE and Uzbekistan, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and several UN Special Rapporteurs, including those on extrajudicial executions and torture. The group’s demands include: A comprehensive, impartial review of the case Commutation of the death sentences Assurance of fair trial standards, including access to legal counsel and medical care An independent investigation into allegations of torture The group also urged Uzbekistan to take more robust measures in defending the rights of its nationals abroad. Their recommendations include enhanced consular engagement, legal aid, and proactive diplomatic efforts to mitigate harsh sentences and prevent future incidents. Under UAE law, all death sentences must be reviewed by the Federal Supreme Court and require final approval from the country’s president, providing a potential avenue for clemency or sentence reduction. Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to Kun.uz that it is closely monitoring the case. Ministry spokesperson Akhror Burhonov stated that consular support, legal assistance, and discussions with UAE authorities are ongoing. He emphasized that protecting the rights of Uzbek citizens abroad remains a top government priority. Israeli media have reported that Mossad suspects links between the convicted men and an Iranian organization, though no conclusive evidence has been made public. While WOLAS is not directly representing the defendants, it asserts its role as an international legal watchdog advocating for due process and human rights. The organization has asked the UN to conduct an inquiry, delay any execution until all legal reviews are exhausted, and document the case in upcoming reports on global human rights issues.

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Uzbek Student Accuses Wizz Air of Discrimination After Being Denied Boarding without Explanation

Earlier this year, Uzbekistan’s Competition Committee took action against Wizz Air following complaints about the airline’s failure to offer safety instructions in the Uzbek language on a flight from Samarkand to Abu Dhabi. Now, another troubling incident has come to light, this time, involving an Uzbek student who claims he was denied boarding without explanation, possibly due to his nationality. ------- Suhrob Ubaydullayev, a University of World Languages student in Uzbekistan, was returning home after completing a Work and Travel program in Europe. He had booked a Wizz Air flight from Rome to Abu Dhabi, with a connection onward to Samarkand. According to Ubaydullayev, despite having all required travel documents — including a valid passport, visa, and certificates from Germany’s Federal Employment Agency — he was inexplicably denied boarding at the gate. “I had all my documents in order,” Ubaydullayev told The Times of Central Asia. “The staff checked them and gave them back to me, but when I reached the gate, they suddenly said I couldn’t fly. No reason. No explanation.” He claims the airline staff asked him a single question — “Are you from Uzbekistan?” — and upon hearing his affirmative response, refused to let him on board. What followed, he says, was a humiliating and deeply distressing ordeal: threats of calling the police, warnings that his embassy wouldn’t be able to assist him, and a refusal to provide any written explanation. “I was speaking English clearly — communication wasn’t an issue,” he told TCA, “but they treated me like a criminal. I believe it was simply because I’m from Uzbekistan.” Ubaydullayev says that this incident occurred on 31 August 2023. He has repeatedly sent emails to the company requesting compensation. However, most emails went unanswered, or he was told to wait. ------- After being left behind in Rome, Ubaydullayev’s troubles worsened. Because he was denied boarding on August 31, Ubaydullayev was at immediate risk of overstaying his visa, which expired on the same day. This meant that any further stay in the Schengen area would make his presence technically illegal under EU immigration law. He scraped together borrowed funds to fly to Istanbul, where he found himself sleeping on the streets. “I met some Uzbek guys near the Sultan Ahmed Mosque who offered help,” he said. “But they ended up taking my money and disappearing.” His eventual return home took him through Kazan, Russia, and Osh, Kyrgyzstan, before finally reaching Namangan — emotionally drained, physically exhausted, and over $2,000 in debt. Now, Ubaydullayev has accused Wizz Air of discrimination, human rights violations, and consumer protection breaches. He has filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights and says his lawyers are currently working through the pre-trial phase. “This is about more than me,” he said. “This is a fight for justice — for every Uzbek passenger who deserves to be treated with dignity.” ------- In giving a legal assessment of Ubaydullayev’s case to TCA, legal expert Azizbek Odilov says the airline’s actions amount to a...

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Swiss Bank Investigated Over Ties to Central Asian Elites

Swiss bank Reyl, part of Intesa Sanpaolo Group, is under investigation by Switzerland’s financial regulator FINMA for allegedly failing to prevent money laundering and mishandling accounts belonging to high-risk clients, including relatives of prominent former Central Asian leaders. The investigation stems from confidential correspondence reviewed by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and Le Monde. High-Risk Clients from Central Asia Among the individuals named are the daughters of the former presidents of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. OCCRP also identified the bank’s connections with the son-in-law of a powerful Central Asian leader. One such client is Lola Karimova, daughter of the late Uzbek president Islam Karimov, and her husband, Timur Tillyaev. The couple, known for their lavish lifestyle, relocated to Geneva by 2013. In 2012, Swiss regulators warned another financial institution, Fidurhône, that the couple posed a high compliance risk. By 2014, Fidurhône was instructed to sever ties with them after account balances surged to 190 million Swiss francs. The bank faced the threat of losing its license for non-compliance, and one partner was fined for failing to report suspicious transactions. In 2020, Tillyaev’s company became a client of Reyl, which was followed by the opening of his personal account. By late 2023, one of these accounts held 83 million francs (approximately $97 million). In January 2024, FINMA requested full disclosure of all Reyl accounts linked to Uzbekistan, including Tillyaev’s. The bank stated it was re-evaluating its relationship with him due to reputational concerns amid renewed media focus on his sister-in-law, Gulnara Karimova. The eldest daughter of Islam Karimov, Gulnara Karimova was once a prominent public figure in Uzbekistan, known for her ventures in business, fashion, and music under the name Googoosha. She also served in diplomatic roles. Her fall from grace began in 2014 with her house arrest, followed by a series of legal proceedings after her father’s death in 2016. In 2017, she was sentenced to nine years for corruption, which was later increased to over 13 years. Kazakhstan Connection Kazakhstan’s former president Nursultan Nazarbayev, who ruled for nearly three decades, oversaw the emergence of a wealthy inner circle. OCCRP has previously reported that he established private foundations controlling assets worth approximately $8 billion. His daughter, Dinara Kulibayeva, moved to Switzerland in 2007 and entrusted Reyl with managing part of her wealth. For years, bank CEO François Reyl personally oversaw her accounts. However, in 2023, FINMA launched an inquiry into the origin of the large deposits in her accounts. In May 2024, the bank was ordered to provide comprehensive documentation on her financial holdings and those of her Luxembourg-based company, which had secured a €25 million loan from Reyl to purchase real estate in France. The investigation was prompted by a suspicious activity report filed by Reyl and the opening of a criminal case in Switzerland. A lawyer representing Kulibayeva stated she had fully cooperated with authorities and that her wealth derives from shares in Halyk Bank, one of Kazakhstan’s largest financial institutions. The bank confirmed that her...