Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A shocking case of abuse of power has come to light in Syrdarya region, as revealed by regional khokim Erkinjon Turdimov.

According to him, the head of a public maintenance brigade forced one of his female subordinates to take out a loan in her name, and then used the borrowed funds to go on a Hajj pilgrimage with his wife.

The woman, left burdened with the debt, found herself in an extremely difficult situation. The hokim stated that she was so desperate that she had even considered taking her own life.

Turdimov noted that the brigade chief initially ignored summonses, but only after the incident became public did he begin to repay the loan.

The full amount has now been reimbursed. The regional Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the matter.