An Uzbekistani citizen, F.A., who had been held at a prison facility in Turkey’s Sakarya province since 2024 on accusations of illegal activities related to narcotics, has been released following the latest court hearing of his case.
This outcome was the result of active efforts by Uzbekistan’s diplomatic missions in Turkey. Representatives of the Republic’s Consulate General carried out targeted work to provide consular and legal assistance to citizens facing difficult situations abroad.
Within this effort, diplomats visited the penitentiary institution in Sakarya province, arranging meetings with several detained compatriots. During the visit, personal interviews were conducted with Uzbek nationals under investigation or serving sentences.
They were provided with detailed legal advice regarding the specifics of local legislation. In addition, there were separate meetings with lawyers representing Uzbek citizens’ interests in courts, where agreements were reached on developing defense strategies.
Protecting the rights and interests of Uzbekistani citizens is one of the main priorities of the diplomatic missions. Providing legal assistance to detained compatriots is carried out within the framework of bilateral agreements and international legal norms.
A bilateral agreement on mutual legal assistance is in effect between Uzbekistan and Turkey, serving as a legal basis for cooperation between the authorized bodies of the two countries. In recent years, cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of both states has markedly intensified.
This has led to the apprehension and deportation of wanted individuals. In this regard, providing timely and high-quality legal assistance to Uzbeks who come to the attention of Turkish law enforcement agencies is gaining even greater importance.
