Official detained after demanding $10,000 for school principal position

A district department head and an employee of the Preschool and School Education Department in two districts of Namangan region were detained over alleged corruption-related actions, the State Security Service reported.

According to the report, during an operation conducted jointly by the State Security Service and the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General’s Office, a department head at the Namangan Regional Department of Preschool and School Education demanded $10,000 in exchange for arranging the appointment of a citizen from Torakurgan district as principal of one of the general secondary schools in Namangan city. He was detained with physical evidence while receiving $8,500 of the requested amount in his office.

It was established that the official had previously been convicted in 2011 under Articles 168, 205, 209, 210 and 227 of the Criminal Code, which cover fraud, abuse of power or official authority, official forgery, bribery, and the unlawful acquisition, destruction, damage or concealment of documents, stamps, seals and forms. However, he had not drawn the right conclusions from his past mistake.

In another case, an employee of a preschool education organization in Namangan city was detained while receiving $2,000 from an entrepreneur who intended to establish two preschool education organizations under a public-private partnership. In exchange, the employee allegedly promised to help have the relevant contracts approved by the district Preschool and School Education Department through his official acquaintances. The operation was then continued, and the illegal actions of a chief specialist of the Davlatobod District Preschool and School Education Department were stopped when he received the money.

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

Earlier, it was reported that a prevention inspector of the Samarkand city Department for Coordination of Internal Affairs was detained while receiving a $7,000 bribe.