Uzbekistan Foils Contract Attack Plot in Navoi

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Authorities in Uzbekistan’s Navoi region have detained a 54-year-old resident of the city of Zarafshan on suspicion of attempting to organize an attack on her son-in-law for payment of 40 million soums, the regional Interior Ministry said.

According to investigators, the incident stemmed from prolonged family conflicts involving the young couple related to the suspect. The woman, who is the aunt of the victim’s wife, allegedly sought out individuals to carry out an assault on the man and approached two acquaintances with the request.

Law enforcement authorities said recorded conversations showed that the suspect insisted the beating be carried out in a way that would make it impossible to identify those responsible. Part of the discussions was documented through audio recordings, the regional police department said.

To document the alleged criminal scheme, officers from the Navoi regional police conducted a sting operation involving a staged attack. Investigators prepared a video simulating the assault and sent it to the suspect through social media.

After receiving what she believed was proof that the attack had been carried out, the woman transferred 2.3 million soums to the bank cards of the supposed perpetrators as part of the previously agreed payment, authorities said.

The suspect was later detained during a joint operation conducted by the regional Interior Ministry department and Uzbekistan’s State Security Service.

A criminal case has been opened under Part 2 of Article 104 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, which covers the intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm. The investigation is ongoing.