Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs comments on mass detention of citizens at UAE airports

On June 2, it was reported that hundreds of Uzbek fans traveling to watch the UAE vs. Uzbekistan match in the World Cup qualifiers were stopped and held at Sharjah Airport for 6–7 hours. Citizens said that passports of only Uzbek travelers were collected, and they were asked to fill out forms, provide hotel booking confirmations, and return flight tickets.

After 6–7 hours, at around 14:30 Tashkent time, Uzbek citizens began to be allowed entry.

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement on the matter. It noted that delays in screening foreign nationals, including Uzbek citizens, arriving through various UAE airports are being closely monitored.

“At present, all necessary measures are being taken to protect the legal rights and interests of our citizens. Uzbekistan’s Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai have promptly held talks with relevant UAE agencies and are maintaining constant contact to improve the situation. All available resources have been mobilized to ensure the swift screening of our citizens, and as a result, they have begun entering the country,” said MFA spokesperson Akhror Burkhanov in a statement.

The MFA representative also noted that, according to the UAE side, increased security measures due to various international events have caused delays in airport processing times.