Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – Officers of the State Security Service (SSS) have detained officials while accepting bribes in several regions of Uzbekistan: Karakalpakstan, Andijan, and Tashkent regions.

According to the SSS, one of the detained individuals is the deputy khokim of Takhiatash district responsible for construction (Karakalpakstan). He demanded 35 million soums for processing documents to demolish a house owned by the administration, as well as permission to use construction materials.

The deputy khokim was apprehended while receiving 32 million soums in his office.

In Andijan region, the chairman of the Council of Farmers, Dehkans, and Owners of Household Plots of Buston district was detained for demanding a bribe of US$20,000 for resolving land issues. He was caught receiving US$10,000.

The chairman was supposed to transfer the funds to the deputy khokim of the district for rural and water management issues. The operation concluded with the arrest of the official during the transfer of US$10,000.

Additionally, in Tashkent region, the head of the Buka district department of Emergency Situations was detained for demanding US$2,500 to approve the acceptance certificate for the completed construction of a residential building. His subordinate was apprehended with physical evidence while accepting the bribe. Preliminary investigation revealed that part of the money was intended for the deputy khokim of the district for related matters. The official was arrested while receiving the bribe in his official vehicle.

Criminal cases under Article 210 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Acceptance of Bribes) have been initiated in all cases. The detained individuals are in custody pending further investigation.