Tax Inspector and Power Grid Engineer Detained in Bribery Cases in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Law enforcement agencies in the Tashkent and Fergana regions have disrupted two corruption schemes, resulting in the detention of a tax inspector and an engineer from a district power supply enterprise. Criminal cases have been initiated for both incidents, and investigations are underway.

According to investigators, during an audit of an individual entrepreneur’s shop located within the "Chinni Bozor" shopping complex in the Zangiata District of Tashkent Region, authorities discovered that sales revenue was being transferred via mobile applications directly to the entrepreneur’s personal bank card, bypassing the business's official settlement account.

The chief inspector of the district tax office reportedly informed the entrepreneur that they faced a potential fine of 160 million soums and demanded US$1,000 to resolve the issue. During a joint operation by the State Security Service (SGB) and the Department for Combating Economic Crimes, an intermediary acting on the inspector's instructions was detained while accepting the money.

A separate corruption case was uncovered in the Buvayda District of Fergana Region. During a joint operation involving the SGB, the Department for Combating Economic Crimes, and internal affairs bodies, an engineer from the district power grid enterprise was caught red-handed accepting US$1,000.

According to the investigation, the engineer demanded a total of US$5,000 from an entrepreneur specializing in solar panel installations. In exchange, the engineer promised to refer potential clients, assist in preparing the necessary paperwork, and facilitate the acquisition of technical specifications required to execute the projects.

Investigative actions are ongoing in both cases.