Ex-Head of Uzbekneftegaz Detained on Corruption Charges – Reports

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Bahodir Sidikov, former Chairman of the Board of Uzbekneftegaz JSC, has been taken into custody on suspicion of embezzling state funds and committing other corruption-related offenses, according to several Uzbek media outlets citing sources familiar with the matter.

Reports indicate that several other senior officials of the company are also under investigation. Law enforcement authorities allege that the group misappropriated budget funds on a particularly large scale and abused their official powers in managing the assets of the country’s oil and gas sector.

No official statements have yet been issued by investigative bodies or relevant authorities regarding the arrests. The government has not commented on the status of the criminal case or the identities of the other suspects.

Changes in the leadership of Uzbekneftegaz began in mid-December 2025, when Abdugani Sanginov, previously head of Uzbekhydroenergo JSC, was appointed as the new chairman of the holding. These reshuffles followed the resignation of presidential advisor for energy security Alisher Sultanov and subsequent public criticism of the energy sector by government officials.

The official reasons for Bahodir Sidikov’s departure from the board were not disclosed. At the time, media reports described it as a transition to another role.