Scandal that rocked the office

Reports of officials taking bribes, insulting employees, attempting to violate the dignity of female students, or even physically assaulting them are sadly not new. But did anyone expect to hear about a high-ranking official using drugs in his own office? Yes, that too has now come to light.

On April 9, a photo began circulating on social media, allegedly showing the deputy head of the Poverty Reduction and Employment Assistance Department in the Andijan region using drugs in his office. The Ministry of Internal Affairs was quick to respond. Its press secretary, Shohrukh Giyasov, issued the following statement:

"A search operation was conducted in connection with this case. As a result, 0.69 grams of hashish were confiscated from the individual in the photo. According to a forensic chemical examination, the substance was confirmed to be a narcotic drug."

Giyasov added that a criminal case had been initiated under Part 1 of Article 276 of the Criminal Code (illegal preparation, storage, acquisition, transportation, or shipment of narcotic drugs, their analogues, or psychotropic substances without the purpose of trafficking). He also emphasized that the disclosure of personal information is prohibited by law and reminded the public of the presumption of innocence.

On the same day, the Andijan Regional Department of Poverty Reduction and Employment issued a statement saying the case was under the control of the Internal Affairs Department and that the facts had not yet been confirmed, with relevant inquiries underway.

However, on April 10, just one day later, the department announced that the official had been dismissed. It clarified that the individual involved was not a regional official, but rather the deputy head of the Poverty Reduction and Employment Promotion Department of Andijan city.

“The employment contract with the head of the Poverty Reduction and Employment Promotion Department of Andijan city, D.U., and his deputy, S.B., has been terminated. The investigation into the case is ongoing,” the department's statement read.

Neither of the official statements specified who else was present in the office at the time. The photo suggests that another person was sitting beside the deputy head, while a third individual appeared to have taken the photo. The editorial team is unable to confirm whether there were additional people in the room.

Although the employment contract of the department head was also terminated, it remains unclear whether he was in the same room or had any involvement in the incident. Was he dismissed for failing to control his subordinate? These questions are expected to be addressed as the investigation progresses.