SSS: Officials Detained for Bribery in Land Allocation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Cases of bribery among local officials have been reported in Ferghana and Namangan regions.

During a joint operation by the State Security Service (SSS) and the Department for Combating Economic Crimes in Ferghana region, the Deputy Hokim of Bagdad District was detained for receiving US$8,000. Preliminary investigation revealed that the official promised to transfer a 240-square-meter land plot, won by a citizen of Besharik District through an electronic online auction on a lease basis, to a third party with full ownership rights.

A similar case occurred in Namangan city. The Assistant Hokim for Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Poverty Reduction was detained while receiving US$6,000. During a mahalla meeting, she had allocated an 800-square-meter land plot under the “Green Space” project with ownership rights and later promised to change the land category from non-residential to residential.

Another case was recorded in Yangi-Namangan District, where the Assistant Hokim for Entrepreneurship and Employment demanded US$16,000 for processing documents for a 1,200-square-meter state reserve land plot, having already received US$6,000 as an advance.

Criminal cases have been initiated against all detainees, and investigative actions are ongoing.