A 41-year-old man has been arrested in Tashkent for allegedly hiring a hitman to murder his second wife, according to the city's Main Internal Affairs Department.

The suspect claimed he had two families, and constant conflicts arose after his second wife discovered the existence of his first family. The 37-year-old woman allegedly threatened to throw his children and herself from the fourth floor.

“I have two wives. I gave my second wife everything, she had everything. She was always nervous. About six or seven months ago, my first wife found out about the second. She often threatened me: if you leave, I'll throw the children from the fourth floor and myself too. I couldn't stand it. In the end, I thought and thought and decided to do this. I contacted a person to scare her or kill her,” the suspect said.

He reportedly agreed to pay $10,000 for the murder, providing the hitman with his wife's address, daily routes, and car details. He paid a $2,000 advance, promising the remainder after the job was done.

“The guy asked what to do: stab or strangle. I said scare her and strangle her,” the man added.

On April 26, criminal investigation officers devised a special plan to save the woman. The hired hitman cooperated with law enforcement.

The woman's death was staged, and the client was informed. During a meeting, the suspect handed over 6.5 million soums and a Tracker car registered in the “deceased” woman's name as part of the payment, and was arrested red-handed.

“I am very grateful to the officers who kept her alive. If she had died, I would have been tormented by conscience. I suffered. Never marry a second or third wife, appreciate your first family. I regret it a thousand times. I am so ashamed,” the man said.

A criminal case has been initiated under Article 97 (Premeditated Murder) of the Criminal Code by the district prosecutor's office. The suspect has been remanded in custody. Investigation is ongoing.

Source: www.gazeta.uz