Samarkand Deputy Prosecutor Detained in Bribery Case

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A deputy prosecutor of Urgut district in Uzbekistan's Samarkand region has been detained on suspicion of accepting bribes and abusing his official position, the State Security Service said. The operation was carried out jointly with the prosecution authorities.

According to the investigation, the suspect, who previously worked at the Prosecutor's Office of Pastdargom district, received a bribe of US$6,500 and 35 million soums through intermediaries.

Investigators allege that the money was paid in exchange for reducing the amount of damage allegedly caused to the state through the illegal use of natural gas by a local enterprise from 2.9 billion soums to 805.9 million soums.

The investigation also alleges that, during the criminal investigation involving officials of the enterprise, the suspect demanded an additional US$15,000 from the company's owner.

In return, he allegedly promised to reduce the assessed damage to between 150 million and 200 million soums and, through his contacts in the judiciary, help secure a more lenient sentence for those involved in the case.

A criminal case has been opened.

The suspect has been placed in pre-trial detention. The investigation is ongoing.