According to a report from UzA, the deputy governor of one of Uchtepa district’s neighborhoods was apprehended while receiving a $30,000 bribe.

The official assured the aspiring entrepreneur that he could use his connections with high-ranking officials to secure 210 square meters of land within the district for the construction of four retail shops. He promised to facilitate the process of winning the auction and registering the land in the individual’s name. However, during the transaction, he was caught red-handed by law enforcement during a rapid response operation.

It was revealed that the arrested official had previously been convicted three times under various articles of the Criminal Code, including articles 167 (Embezzlement or Misappropriation), 168 (Fraud), and 205 (Abuse of Power or Authority).

A criminal case has now been opened against the deputy governor under part 4(a) of article 168 (Fraud) and part 3(a) of article 28/211 (Giving Bribes) of the Criminal Code. He is currently in custody as a pretrial measure.

Earlier, other officials were also caught in high-profile bribery cases, including the head of the Emergency Situations Department in Pop district with $160,000 and a Samarkand regional police officer with $10,000 during sting operations.