A taxi driver from Andijan who attempted to recruit citizens for the Russia-Ukraine war has been imprisoned

^{Sergey Bobilev / Sputnik / RIA Novosti / Profimedia}
An individual working as a taxi driver in Andijan was arrested for conspiring with a Russian citizen to recruit Uzbekistan nationals for the Russia-Ukraine war. They had agreed to receive up to $1,000 for each recruited individual. The taxi driver intrigued passengers who got into his car by telling them that if they went to war, they would receive a large sum of money and various privileges. He was detained during a special operation at the airport while sending a recruited citizen to Russia.

It has been revealed that an individual residing in Andijan had been attempting to recruit Uzbekistan citizens for the Russia-Ukraine war. He was sentenced to criminal punishment by the court. Kun.uz reviewed the court documents.

According to the court ruling, Furqatbek Hasanov, born in 1985 and residing in Andijan, was engaged in taxi driving. He conspired with a Russian individual named “Dmitriy Robertovich” to recruit Uzbekistan citizens for the Russia-Ukraine war. Furqatbek Hasanov had reached an agreement to receive $1,000 for each Uzbek citizen recruited for the war.

Subsequently, in July 2024, the taxi driver attempted to recruit Uzbekistan citizens F.N., J.I., B.J., and unidentified individuals referred to as “Shakhzod” and “Shukrullo” during the investigation and trial. Furqatbek Hasanov told those who got into his car that if they participated in military operations between Russia and Ukraine, they would receive a large sum of money, Russian citizenship, and numerous privileges.

Although most citizens did not fall for the taxi driver's “sweet promises,” some showed interest. In particular, Furqatbek Hasanov was arrested at Fergana International Airport when he attempted to send citizen F.O. to Russia after purchasing a ticket for him.

Furqatbek Hasanov fully confessed to his guilt in court.

“In 2010, I went to Russia and worked at a factory producing toothpaste. I became closely acquainted with the factory manager, Dmitriy Robertovich. In mid-December 2023, Dmitriy Robertovich called me via WhatsApp and informed me that it was possible to go to areas where there were armed clashes between Russia and Ukraine to work in baking bread or construction. I told him that I had a deportation order for going to Russia, but I could find other Uzbekistan citizens and recruit them for work.

I exchanged my phone number with several individuals who got into my car as passengers and expressed their intention to work abroad, telling them about the jobs and offers promised by Dmitriy. I informed them that there were good jobs in Russia, with no expenses, and that there would be cleaning and guarding work in areas where the war between Russia and Ukraine had taken place, military uniforms, weapons, and officer titles would be provided, contracts would be signed for six months, and salaries ranging from $2,500 to $3,000 per month along with various privileges, including the possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship.

Dmitriy Robertovich promised to pay me between $400 and $1,000 for each person I sent,” Furqatbek Hasanov stated in his testimony.

The taxi driver expressed genuine remorse for his actions, stating that he did not understand that these actions were criminal, and requested leniency from the court.

By the ruling of the Marhamat District Court on criminal cases, Furqatbek Hasanov was found guilty under Article 25, Part 2, and Article 154, Part 2 of the Criminal Code (recruiting, training, financing, or providing other material support to a recruited individual, as well as using them in military conflicts or military operations). He was sentenced to 7 years and 1 month of imprisonment.