Lawyers detained in Jizzakh and Samarkand regions

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Two lawyers suspected of fraud and incitement to bribery have been detained in the Jizzakh and Samarkand regions during joint operations by the State Security Service and prosecutor's office.

According to law enforcement agencies, one of the lawyers, who operated in the Urgut district of the Samarkand region, promised to secure a reduced prison sentence for a convict serving time in a correctional colony in the Jizzakh region through connections with officials. He was caught red-handed after receiving US$15,000 from an acquaintance of the convict.

In the second case, a lawyer operating in the Koshrabat district of the Samarkand region represented a defendant in a criminal case being heard by a district court. According to investigators, the lawyer told the defendant's son that he could secure a lighter sentence through connections with officials and demanded US$2,000 for the service.

The lawyer was detained while receiving the money during a joint operation by State Security Service and prosecutor's office personnel.

Criminal cases have been initiated for both incidents, and investigative proceedings are currently underway.

Law enforcement authorities urged citizens to report similar violations of the law by calling the State Security Service short number 1520, guaranteeing informant confidentiality.