Senior Tax Inspector Detained in Ferghana Region on Corruption Charges

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A senior inspector of the Ferghana District Tax Office has been detained on suspicion of corruption, the State Security Service reported.

According to the agency, the tax official demanded US$95,000 from an entrepreneur from Namangan for assistance in allocating a 10-hectare land plot from the district hokimiyat’s reserve, intended for agricultural use with plans to develop a tourism facility.

For changing the land category, the suspect additionally requested US$6,000. It is reported that the official planned to carry out the scheme with the help of high-ranking acquaintances.

The inspector was caught in the act while receiving US$20,000 from the agreed sum.

A criminal case has been opened under Article 168, Part 4(a) (fraud) and Article 211, Part 2(a) via Article 28 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (complicity in bribery).

The suspect is currently in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.