Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Three people have been detained on suspicion of causing the death by negligence of Mirzo Botirov, a senior specialist in the control department overseeing the Aydar-Arnasay lake system at Uzbekistan's State Environmental Control Inspectorate, known as the Eco-Police, the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office said.
A criminal case has been opened in connection with the inspector's death under three articles of the Criminal Code.
The charges concern Article 202, which covers violations of the rules governing the use of wildlife and plant resources; Article 219, concerning resistance to a government representative or a person performing a civic duty; and Article 102, concerning causing death by negligence.
On 9 September, Botirov took part in an operational raid in the channel of the Syr Darya River. According to the environmental authorities, the inspector attempted to stop people who were fishing with an electric fishing rod.
According to available information, the individuals resisted the Eco-Police officer. Botirov subsequently fell into the water and died. His body was found on 10 September.
For his courage and dedication to duty, Mirzo Botirov will be posthumously awarded the Defender of Nature badge.
