Tashkent: Assistant to Yashnabad District Hokim Detained for Extorting US$5,000

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In Tashkent, officers of the State Security Service, together with the Department under the General Prosecutor’s Office, detained an assistant to the hokim of Yashnabad District responsible for entrepreneurship development, employment, and poverty reduction.

According to the investigation, the official demanded US$5,000 from a citizen intending to start a business.

For this amount, he promised to use his connections to obtain permission to convert a first-floor apartment in a residential building into non-residential use, as well as to assist in processing the necessary documents. The assistant was caught in the act while receiving the money.

Further investigation revealed that the official had planned to resolve the issue with the involvement of the head of one of the Yashnabad District hokimiyat’s departments. During the operation, a second employee was detained while receiving US$600.

A criminal case has been opened under Articles 168 (Fraud) and 211 (Bribery) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The suspects are in custody, and investigative actions are ongoing.