Uzbekistan Cracks Down on Two Corruption Cases in Andijan Region

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In the Andijan region, law enforcement agencies have uncovered and stopped two separate cases of alleged corruption involving officials in the construction oversight and banking sectors.

The operations were carried out by the State Security Service together with the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the General Prosecutor’s Office and the regional Internal Affairs Directorate.

According to officials, the first case was recorded in the regional center, where the head of a department of the Territorial Inspection for Construction and Housing and Communal Services allegedly attempted to obtain money from a business owner.

Earlier inspections by specialists from “Andijon suv ta’minoti” had identified illegal use of drinking water in a commercial store in the city, estimating the damage to the state at nearly 680 million soums.

The official allegedly demanded 30 million soums from the business owner, promising to use his connections to reduce the assessed damage and soften administrative penalties. He was detained while receiving the full amount.

The second case was uncovered in Asaka district. A senior manager of a branch of a commercial bank, responsible for the “mahalla-by-mahalla” system, allegedly demanded US$8,000 from a citizen seeking to start a business.

In return, the manager reportedly promised assistance in securing a bank loan worth 3.65 billion soums. Between April and May of the current year, he allegedly received US$7,800 from the applicant.

After failing to fulfill the promise, the official attempted to return part of the money and was detained while handing over US$1,000 to the citizen.

Criminal cases have been initiated in both incidents, and investigative procedures are ongoing.