Arrest of Human Traffickers in Ukraine

Under the guidance of the Kyiv regional prosecutor's office, four individuals have been arrested, including two citizens of China, one Uzbek national, and a Ukrainian woman, who organized the recruitment and transport of 13 Uzbek citizens for the purpose of labor exploitation (Part 2 of Article 149 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
According to the investigation, the suspects used coercion and deception to attract socially vulnerable individuals who were in a precarious situation due to a lack of housing and employment.
The victims were sourced from outside Ukraine and transported to the Kyiv region for forced labor to generate profit.
They controlled the individuals through coercion and restrictions on freedom of movement, indicating the exploitative nature of their actions. People were subjected to humiliations to the extreme: visiting the restroom was allowed only according to a set schedule, and any minor infringement resulted in fines.
On September 17, 2025, law enforcement conducted authorized searches at the residences of the suspects. A facility was discovered where 13 Uzbek citizens were held in inhumane conditions, along with documents, money, and vehicles.
The four detainees have been charged with particularly serious crimes, and the question of preventive measures is being considered.
The preliminary investigation is being carried out by the investigative department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv region, with operational support from the Department of Migration Police of the National Police of Ukraine.