Officials detained with bribes in Andijan

Two officials who abused their authority and demanded money from citizens were detained in Andijan region, the State Security Service reported.

In one case, the head of a department at the regional inspection for control in the construction, housing and communal services sector of Andijan region demanded 30 million soums from an entrepreneur. In exchange, he allegedly promised to help reduce the nearly 680 million soums in damage caused to the state by illegal use of drinking water at a shop in Andijan city by having the amount recalculated through his official acquaintances, and to assist in the application of administrative measures.

He was detained with physical evidence while receiving the requested money during an operation conducted jointly by officers of the State Security Service, the Department for Combating Economic Crimes and the Department of Internal Affairs.

In another case, the chief manager of the Mahallabay work department at the Asaka district branch of a joint-stock commercial bank demanded $8,000 in exchange for helping a citizen obtain a loan worth 3.65 billion soums. In April and May this year, he received a total of $7,800 from the citizen.

However, the chief manager failed to fulfill his promise and was detained by officers of the State Security Service and the Department of Internal Affairs while returning $1,000 of the money.

Criminal cases have been opened against the officials in both cases, and investigative actions are underway.

Earlier, it was reported that a responsible employee of the Gulistan city administration had been detained after allegedly demanding $50,000 to help obtain two sotix of state-reserve land through his official acquaintances.