Governor Corruption Scandal: Captured on Video, Officials Found Accepting $80,000 in Bribes

Two individuals who demanded $80,000 in exchange for securing an appointment as the governor of Uchkoprik district in the Fergana region have been arrested, according to a statement released by the Press Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

On the 18th of May, the Ministry of Internal Affairs received a complaint from a resident of Uchkoprik district in the Fergana region.  The complaint stated that in April 2023, an individual claiming to be an employee of the Presidential Administration, along with an accomplice, approached the resident and informed him that the current governors of Uchkoprik and Beshariq districts would be replaced after a referendum.

The complainant further revealed that they were searching for a candidate to fill the vacant position and demanded $80,000 in exchange for securing the appointment as the governor of Uchkoprik district.  Additionally, they insisted on an upfront payment of $25,000 to handle the necessary paperwork.

During a subsequent operation, two individuals were apprehended in the Mirabad district while in possession of $25,000, which they had demanded from the complainant.  The individuals had also presented documents claiming affiliation with the Presidential Administration and had taken documents from the complainant to allegedly facilitate appointments to leadership positions.

A criminal case has been initiated in connection with this incident, citing Article 168, Part 4, Clause "a," and Article 211, Part 3, Clause "a."  Both suspects have been detained under the provisions of Article 221 of the Criminal Procedure Code.