Russia's FSB Rescues Uzbek Slaves

(RFE/RL)

June 26, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Officers of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) in the Orel Oblast have freed 18 citizens of Uzbekistan who were being held as slaves, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reported.

FSB spokeswoman Marina Kostikova said the Uzbeks had their documents taken from them and were forced to work "practically 24 hours a day with no days off," and those who tried to escape were beaten.

Four of the Uzbeks finally succeeded in escaping and informed local authorities.