Many Central Asian migrants are among the estimated 50,000 prisoners who were sent from Russian jails by the Wagner mercenary group to fight in Ukraine. While some volunteered with promises of early release, there are accounts that others were coerced to enlist.
A 26-year-old housewife from southern Kyrgyzstan said she fell victim to sex traffickers who lured her to Turkey with the promise of a job as a domestic worker. She managed to escape sexual slavery but wants those she accuses of deceiving her to face justice.
Olmakhon Ghozieva makes traditional tandoor clay ovens in Uzbekistan's Fergana region. She learned the craft from her father-in-law, despite tandoor-making being seen traditionally as men's work locally.
