Mirziyoyev Orders Reform of Tashkent Law Enforcement to Establish a “Capital Standard” for Public Safety

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a video-conference meeting was held on 27 January to discuss the creation of a safe environment and the implementation of exemplary practices for effective public safety in Tashkent.

The head of state noted that the capital has significantly strengthened its status as the country’s economic, social, and cultural center, with noticeable growth in citizens’ incomes and quality of life. At the same time, he emphasized that rising prosperity often attracts criminal groups seeking “easy money,” and new forms of crime tend to emerge in such areas.

During the meeting, President Mirziyoyev sharply criticized the leadership of the city’s law enforcement agencies for their lack of initiative and reliance on outdated approaches, despite the availability of sufficient resources, personnel, and scientific potential. Special attention was given to crime prevention at the neighborhood level, where systemic issues have been identified. Among the most problematic districts are Chilanzar for domestic violence, robberies, and hooliganism; Yunusabad for armed assaults; Yashnabad and Mirabad for homicides; Almalyk for bodily harm; and Shaykhantakhur for robberies.

For unsatisfactory performance, reprimands were issued to the head of the Tashkent Police Department, Ravshan Sultonhojaev, and the acting city prosecutor, Anvar Urmanov, with a six-month probationary period established.

The president noted insufficient coordination between the National Guard, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations in maintaining security at major markets and crowded areas. Criticism was also directed at weak digitalization systems and the performance of the cybercrime unit within the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Concerns were raised regarding inadequate action against drug-related crime and organized criminal groups, as well as delays in addressing the activities of citizens traveling abroad to establish criminal networks that harm Uzbek nationals.

President Mirziyoyev also focused on the city’s tax authorities, noting an increase in illegal VAT reimbursements through artificial overpayments and budget claims. As a result, the First Deputy Chairman of the State Tax Committee, Mubin Mirzaev, was dismissed, along with several district tax office heads.

Examples of multimillion-sum embezzlement were cited at Uzbekneftegaz and the State Assets Management Agency. Officials at the agency sold a land plot valued at no less than 250 billion soums at a closed auction for only 120 billion soums, leading to the dismissal of the agency’s director, Akmalxon Ortikov.

The president emphasized that the introduction of compliance systems and internal anti-corruption controls has revealed violations in budget revenues, embezzlement, and financial misconduct totaling 53 trillion soums, along with external trade debt exceeding US$8 billion. Damage from corruption schemes amounted to 4.2 trillion soums, of which 1.3 trillion soums has been recovered, and 55 individuals were detained. In the Ministry of Internal Affairs, misappropriation of state funds in public procurement totaled 186 billion soums; criminal cases were initiated against former Deputy Minister Bekmurod Abdullayev and ex-head of the department Rustam Tursunov.

President Mirziyoyev stressed the need to focus efforts on four key areas: organized crime, drug-related crime, cybercrime, and the shadow economy. He announced the creation of a “capital standard” for safe environment practices in Tashkent.

In Chilanzar district, a new system for managing forces and resources will be implemented: patrol and checkpoint units, traffic police, security, and prevention services will operate in a 24/7 three-shift schedule, with response times for patrol units limited to five minutes. Five deputy heads of district police departments will directly supervise night shifts in neighborhoods, have decision-making authority, and bear full responsibility for results. Law enforcement and National Guard personnel will receive a compensation of 5% of the base salary for each hour of night duty. Patrol monitoring of crowded areas will be conducted using drones.

Special attention will be given to combating drug crime: 95% of synthetic drugs are distributed online with cryptocurrency settlements, and domestic laboratories continue to operate. The Agency for Drug and Firearms Control has been tasked with enhancing authority, coordinating relevant agencies, and evaluating the effectiveness of their actions.

President Mirziyoyev ordered the establishment of a unified system to combat cross-border and virtual organized crime, including a specialized unit within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Among those detained in the capital last year, 259 were young individuals and athletes of the “high-risk” category, many involved in street hooliganism and underground fights. They are to be provided with professional training and employment opportunities according to their skills.

In the field of cybercrime, the number of crime types has risen from 18 to 62, including theft of personal data, AI-based voice and appearance imitation, distribution of malware, and laundering stolen funds through cryptocurrency. To counter these threats, a cybercrime department is being established within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice will create a department for cybercrime and digital law.

The president highlighted the importance of staffing stability, rewarding qualified personnel, and strengthening the status of preventive inspectors. From 1 July, they will receive bonuses of up to 5 million soums, the period of legal university studies will count toward service from February 1, housing allowances will increase to 3.1 million soums, and 30% of newly constructed housing for MIA employees will be allocated to preventive inspectors.

A draft decree is to be prepared to transfer MIA units directly working with the public and ensuring safety to a new system with unified service standards, communication culture, rapid response, and use-of-force protocols. The Ministry of Justice will implement a “legal audit” of law enforcement activities, and a draft law “On Law Enforcement Activities” is being developed to define roles, tasks, and powers.

During the meeting, reports from law enforcement leaders were reviewed, measures of responsibility were defined for officials who committed serious violations, and tasks were set to ensure the rule of law.