Uzbek Interior Ministry Staff Dismissed for Corruption During Inspections and Patrols

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Law enforcement officers in Uzbekistan have again come under anti-corruption scrutiny.

In Tashkent Region, an officer from the Quarantine Enforcement Unit of the Main Department of Internal Affairs was detained for accepting US$500 to ignore a citizen attempting to transport meat unfit for consumption. The officer was dismissed, charged under Article 210, Part 2, Clause “v” of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (“Bribery”), and placed in custody.

A similar case occurred in Samarkand Region, where a prevention inspector of the Pastdargom District Police was caught receiving US$800 for failing to act on official documents under his supervision. He was dismissed, charged under Article 168, Part 3, Clause “a” (“Fraud”) and Article 211, Part 1 (“Bribe Giving”), and detained.

In Namangan Region, a patrol officer from Davlatabad District was detained for accepting jewelry worth 11 million UZS in exchange for ignoring the discovery of narcotics in a citizen’s vehicle. The officer was dismissed, and a preliminary investigation is underway.

This year, operational measures have involved nearly 60 officers, preventing potential violations by 250 individuals. Over 300 employees were investigated for offering bribes. In total, 557 officers and managers received disciplinary sanctions, and 479 staff members were dismissed.

These actions demonstrate a systematic approach to combating corruption and strengthening discipline within the country’s law enforcement agencies.