Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Employment contracts have been terminated with the head and deputy head of the Andijan Department of the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment after it was confirmed that they had used drugs in their office during working hours.

A criminal case has been opened under Part 1 of Article 276 of the Criminal Code (illegal production, acquisition, storage, and other actions involving narcotic drugs, their analogues, or psychotropic substances without the intent to sell).

Information about the incident was made public on 9 April, with the regional ministry office confirming that the person shown in the widely circulated photo is indeed the head of the department.

However, further details regarding how the photo was taken and the exact circumstances of the event have not yet been disclosed.

Investigative proceedings are currently underway.