SSS Detains “Hududgaz Jizzakh” Employee in the Act of Accepting Bribe

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In Jizzakh, a senior specialist of the gas supply branch “Hududgaz Jizzakh” was detained on suspicion of receiving a large bribe.

According to the press service of the State Security Service (SSS), during an inspection of a private company operating in the city, the employee identified a malfunction in a gas meter and drew up the corresponding report. However, abusing his official position, he demanded US$6,000 from the company representative to cancel the report and refrain from initiating a criminal case following the preliminary investigation conducted by the city department of the Economic Crimes Unit.

As a result of an operational action conducted by SSS officers, the specialist was caught red-handed while receiving the requested sum near the “Hududgaz Jizzakh” branch office.

Laboratory analysis confirmed that the gas meter malfunction occurred without any external interference.

A criminal case has been initiated against the detainee under point “v” of part 3 of Article 25, Article 168, and part 1 of Article 28, Article 211 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (attempted acceptance of a large bribe using an official position).

The investigation is also identifying the city department employee of the Economic Crimes Unit referred to by the detainee. A service inquiry has been initiated regarding this individual.