Tax official caught taking $30,000 bribe in Fergana

A senior inspector of the Entrepreneurship Support and Service Department under the Fergana Regional State Tax Administration was caught receiving $30,000. The State Security Service reported this incident.

According to the report, the official demanded $30,000 in exchange for registering 48 hectares of agricultural land—leased for 30 years in 2023 through an electronic auction—in the name of the buyer via his high-ranking acquaintances in the Fergana district.

During an operational event conducted jointly by the State Security Service and the Department for Combating Economic Crimes, the tax officer was detained with material evidence while receiving the money.

A criminal case has been initiated against him under Article 25.168, Part 4, Clause “a” of the Criminal Code (fraud), and an investigation is underway.

It is worth noting that earlier in Tashkent, a citizen was detained while giving $10,000 to a criminal investigation officer to avoid action being taken in a case.