Navoi Investigator Detained in Bribery Case

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A criminal case has been opened against a senior investigator with the investigation unit of the Internal Affairs Department in Kyzyltepa District, Navoi Region, on suspicion of accepting an unlawful payment, Uzbekistan's State Security Service said.

According to the agency, the investigator received US$1,000 through two intermediaries in early July in exchange for returning an iPhone 17 Pro Max to a 23-year-old citizen. The phone had previously been seized by law enforcement officers over suspicions that it contained prohibited religious materials.

The State Security Service said the suspect's alleged illegal actions were stopped while he was receiving the money.

A criminal case has been opened, and investigative actions are under way.