In the Turkish city of Izmir, a 22-year-old Uzbek citizen, Sevdora Hakimjanova, died in a hospital after falling from the fourth floor of an apartment building. The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Istanbul officially confirmed this incident. Turkish law enforcement agencies are conducting an investigation at the scene, with the victim's body scheduled to be repatriated to Uzbekistan on March 23.

The Consulate General and the Migration Agency of Uzbekistan are carrying out necessary organizational work to return the body to the homeland. The remains will be sent on March 23, 2026, via the "Istanbul – Andijan" flight. This process raises concerns about the living conditions and protection of Uzbek migrants abroad, often highlighting gaps in international cooperation and support systems for expatriates.

According to earlier reports, Hakimjanova was in a religious marriage with a Turkish citizen, but this union was not officially registered. Both spouses had hearing and speech impairments, and they later moved to Izmir, living in the same house with the husband's close relatives. The causes of the incident remain unclear, but this case underscores the vulnerabilities faced by Uzbek nationals overseas, particularly in informal or unregulated arrangements.

Turkish authorities have initiated a criminal case and are continuing investigative actions. Uzbek officials are monitoring the proceedings, yet such incidents occur with some frequency, casting doubt on the efficacy of migrant protection mechanisms. The event prompts discussions on migration cooperation and citizen safety between Uzbekistan and Turkey, amid broader challenges in safeguarding diaspora communities.

Source: kun.uz