Jizzakh Officials Detained Over Tender Fraud

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In Jizzakh region, the State Security Service detained a senior operative from the Pakhtakor district department of the Economic Crimes Unit and a school director on suspicion of collusion in a tender scam.

According to investigators, the officials conspired with a previously convicted acquaintance and gained the trust of the head of a company supplying equipment. The suspects promised to secure the company’s victory in an electronic auction for 20 interactive boards for the Jizzakh City Department of Preschool and School Education.

The boards were overpriced at 25 million soums each, while their actual cost was about 15.2 million soums. The suspects demanded 85 million soums for so-called intermediary services.

During an operation conducted jointly by the State Security Service and the Prosecutor’s Office, the previously convicted individual was detained while receiving 85 million soums. Later, the senior operative and the school director were arrested near their home while receiving an additional 30 million soums.

A criminal case has been initiated under Article 168 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (fraud). The senior officer and the school director have been placed in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.