Under the supervision of the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, a group consisting of two citizens from the People's Republic of China, one citizen from Uzbekistan, and a Ukrainian national was arrested for recruiting and trafficking 13 citizens of Uzbekistan for labor exploitation purposes (Part 2 of Article 149 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
According to the investigation, the suspects used coercion and deception to lure socially vulnerable individuals who were in a difficult situation due to lack of housing and employment.
The victims were sought outside Ukraine and moved to the Kyiv region for forced labor to generate profit.
Control was maintained through coercion and restricting their freedom of movement, indicating the exploitative nature of their actions. The victims were humiliated to the extreme: even visiting the restroom was allowed only according to a strict schedule, and any minor infraction would result in fines.
On September 17, 2025, law enforcement conducted authorized searches at the residences and business locations of the suspects. They discovered facilities where 13 citizens of Uzbekistan were held in inhumane conditions, along with documents, cash, and vehicles.
Four detainees have been informed of their suspicion regarding particularly serious crimes, and the issue of preventive measures is currently being addressed.
The pre-trial investigation is being carried out by the Investigative Department of the Main Police Department in Kyiv region with operational support from the Department of Migration Police of the National Police of Ukraine.