Deputy hokim of Chirchik, a town in close proximity to Tashken, was detained on suspicion of corruption, press service of Uzbekistan’s State Security Service (SSS) said on Tuesday.
The operation was conducted by the SSS in collaboration with the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the General Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the report, the official demanded $2 million in exchange for facilitating the acquisition of 20 hectares of lands through an auction. The land would be granted for a 49-year lease, contingent upon an investment of $40 million and the establishment of a commercial complex structured as a business cluster.
The deputy hokim was detained when he received an advance payment of $1 million through his driver.
A criminal case was opened against the official under article 210 of the Criminal Code (accepting bribes of an exceptionally large amount, punishable by 10 to 15 years in prison). An investigation is ongoing, the statement said.
Previously, it was reported that the former deputy hokim of Khavast district in Syrdarya region, who was detained in May on corruption charges, was sentenced to seven years in prison. The SSS also revealed the detainment of deputy hokim of Dekhkanabad district in Kashkadarya region and two advisors to district hokims in mahallas (neighborhoods).