A group of Uzbek prisoners serving sentences in the Sakhalin region expressed a desire to serve the remainder of their sentences in their homeland. This issue was considered during an official visit by employees of the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Vladivostok.
The diplomats visited penal institution No. 1 and met with 11 Uzbek citizens there. Their living conditions were studied, and it was also determined that there were no instances of violence or forced labor.
At the same time, the prisoners reported that representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense were offering release from punishment and high salaries in exchange for participation in military actions. The diplomats, in turn, warned Uzbek citizens that such offers are illegal and that "mercenary activity" entails criminal liability.
The prisoners expressed a desire to serve the remainder of their sentences in Uzbekistan, but it was reported that there is currently no agreement between the two countries on the mutual transfer of convicts.
