Head of emergency department in Jizzakh caught accepting bribes

The head of an emergency department in one of Jizzakh region’s districts demanded bribes in exchange for approving various construction projects, the State Security Service reported.

According to the authorities, the official abused his position in September this year by approving project documents for a multi-story building planned by a local entrepreneur and received $200 in return.

Later, the entrepreneur approached the same official again, requesting approval for project documents to build a private school near the same multi-story building to better serve the community. This time, the official demanded 6 million soums for his illicit services.

During an operative action conducted by the State Security Service and prosecutors, the district emergency department head was caught receiving the money through his spouse, effectively stopping his illegal activity.

A criminal case has been initiated against him under Article 210, Part 2, Clauses “a” and “v” of the Criminal Code (bribery), and he has been placed in pre-trial detention. For crimes under these clauses, the law provides for imprisonment ranging from five to ten years.

It is worth noting that earlier, in a neighborhood of Urgut district, Samarkand region, an assistant to the local governor was caught accepting a $2,500 bribe.