The State Security Service (SSS) of Uzbekistan has initiated a criminal case against the governor of Namangan city, Anvarjon Otakhodjaev. According to the investigating authorities, he is suspected of receiving a particularly large bribe.
For reference: khokim – is the head of local administration, mayor, or governor in Uzbekistan.
As reported by the SSS press service, the governor, together with the head of a private shoe company, demanded $60,000 (32.3 million tenge) from an entrepreneur in exchange for granting a 35-are land plot for the construction of a multi-storey building.
"The head of the LLC was detained with material evidence of receiving the specified amount. The operational activity then continued, and the city governor was detained while receiving $60,000 from the head of the LLC," the statement said.
Anvarjon Otakhodjaev was stripped of his parliamentary immunity and taken into custody. A criminal case was opened against him and the head of the chancellery on suspicion of receiving a particularly large bribe. The penalty under the article provides for imprisonment for a term of 10 to 15 years.
The company head was charged with particularly large-scale fraud and complicity in giving a particularly large bribe.
At the same time, another case of bribery was recorded in the Zangiata district of the Tashkent region. It is reported that the chief specialist of the agricultural department demanded $40,000 (21.5 million tenge) for registering 8 ares of land located next to a local resident's house into his ownership. He was detained while receiving $20,000 (10.7 million tenge).
Currently, a criminal case has been initiated against the chief specialist, and a measure of restraint in the form of detention has been applied.