Deputy Hokim Detained in Andijan Region on Suspicion of Accepting a US$15,000 Bribe

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In the Marhamat district of Andijan region, a deputy hokim (deputy head of the district administration) was detained on suspicion of bribery.

According to the press service of the State Security Service, the official abused his position by offering assistance in securing a land plot for the construction of commercial pavilions.

The State Security Service reported that the deputy hokim proposed, in exchange for a bribe, to convert a 400-meter open irrigation canal into a closed system and allocate the freed-up land—covering 6,000 square meters—for eight commercial pavilions of 30 square meters each. He demanded US$15,000 for this assistance and had already received an initial payment of US$200.

During an operational action, the official was detained while receiving the remaining US$14,800.

A criminal case has been opened against him under Articles 168 (Fraud) and 211 (Bribery) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. He has been placed in pretrial detention, and the investigation is ongoing.