Tax Inspector Detained Over Bribe Extortion Case

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A chief inspector of the tax inspection office in the Buka District of the Tashkent Region has been detained on suspicion of extorting a bribe.

According to law enforcement authorities, the official allegedly abused his position in an attempt to illegally obtain money.

Investigators say the inspector gained the trust of the head of a farming enterprise engaged in cotton and grain cultivation and demanded 10 million soums in exchange for assistance in extending the deadline for paying the farm’s tax arrears, which amount to 165.6 million soums. The issue was reportedly to be resolved through one of the employees of the regional tax administration.

During an оперативное мероприятие conducted jointly by officers of the State Security Service of Uzbekistan and the Department under the Prosecutor General’s Office of Uzbekistan, the inspector was caught red-handed in his office while receiving the requested sum.

A criminal case has been opened against the suspect under paragraph “v” of part 3 of Article 168, as well as part 1 of Article 28 and Article 211 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan.

The suspect has been placed in pre-trial detention, and investigative actions are ongoing.

Law enforcement agencies have urged citizens to report similar offences through the short hotline number of the State Security Service — 1520, assuring that the confidentiality of all reports will be guaranteed.