Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Today, an open court session began at the Yunusabad District Court concerning the case of former Minister of Agriculture Aziz Voitov and 49 other defendants, according to the press service of the Tashkent City Courts.

The defendants face charges under various articles of the Criminal Code, including Articles 167, 168, 184, 185-2, 189, 205, 206, 28, 209, 211, 228, and 243.

These charges include embezzlement, fraud, tax evasion, violation of budgetary and fiscal discipline, and breaches related to the handling of precious metals and stones, as well as violations in trade and service regulations.

Additionally, the defendants are accused of abuse of power or official authority, exceeding official powers, official forgery, manufacturing and falsification of documents, stamps, seals, and forms, their sale or use, and the use of knowingly forged documents.

Of the 49 defendants, 29 are in custody, 15 have been released on bail, and 6 are required to sign a commitment to proper conduct.

Aziz Voitov, the former Minister of Agriculture, was arrested in December 2023. He was dismissed from his position in October 2023 following an audit by the Accounts Chamber of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Voitov served as minister from August 2022 to October 2023. Prior to this, he was the First Deputy Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade from March 2020.

It was previously reported that the court proceedings against former Minister of Agriculture Aziz Voitov and the other defendants would commence on 15 August 2024.