Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A criminal case has been initiated in Tashkent against a former assistant to the khokim, according to the General Prosecutor's Office of Uzbekistan.

According to the agency, in the Shaykhontokhur district of the capital, the former official M.F. illegally issued electronic recommendations to 20 individuals using electronic keys, enabling them to receive loans totaling 427.7 million soums.

However, the allocated funds, intended for the development of family entrepreneurship, crafts, home-based work, effective use of garden plots, small-scale production, and services, were spent by him for personal needs.

In addition, M.F. secured loans totaling 207.7 million soums for his relatives and five individuals who did not reside in the neighborhood. He organized the issuance of counterfeit recommendations and embezzled the allocated funds.

A criminal case has been opened under paragraph "a" of part 4 of Article 168 (fraud) and several other articles of the Criminal Code. An investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, the Tashkent khokimiyat stated that there is no official in the city's administration matching the description provided. The statement clarified that M.F. had voluntarily resigned from his position back in November of last year.

The city authorities also urged media outlets to adhere to the principles of accuracy, objectivity, and responsibility when publishing such information.