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

Tax Inspector and Power Grid Engineer Arrested in Bribery Scandals in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Authorities in the Tashkent and Fergana regions have dismantled two corruption schemes, leading to the arrest of a tax inspector and an engineer from a local power supply company. Criminal proceedings have been initiated for both cases, and investigations are currently in progress.

Investigators revealed that during an audit of a shop owned by an individual entrepreneur in the "Chinni Bozor" shopping complex in the Zangiata District of Tashkent Region, it was found that sales revenue was being funneled through mobile applications directly into the entrepreneur’s personal bank account, circumventing the business's official settlement account.

The chief inspector from the district tax office allegedly warned the entrepreneur of a possible fine amounting to 160 million soums and solicited US$1,000 to settle the matter. In a coordinated operation by the State Security Service (SGB) and the Department for Combating Economic Crimes, an intermediary was apprehended while accepting the bribe on behalf of the inspector.

In a separate incident in the Buvayda District of Fergana Region, another corruption case was revealed. During a joint operation involving the SGB, the Department for Combating Economic Crimes, and local law enforcement, an engineer from the district power grid enterprise was caught in the act of accepting US$1,000.

The investigation indicated that the engineer had demanded a total of US$5,000 from an entrepreneur engaged in solar panel installations. In return, the engineer promised to refer potential clients, assist with the necessary documentation, and help obtain the technical specifications needed to carry out the projects.

Investigative efforts are ongoing in both cases.