Criminal cases were launched against the governor’s assistants in Karakalpakstan and Bukhara

The State Security Service has reported criminal cases against governor's assistants in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Bukhara region as part of the fight against economic crimes.

In Karakalpakstan, the assistant mayor of a neighborhood in the Ellikkala district facilitated fraudulent activities. He issued recommendations for allocating preferential loans to 33 citizens, enabling the disbursement of 1.088 billion soums. Establishing a limited liability company (LLC) under a known citizen's name, he informally managed the LLC and transferred the loaned funds to its account under the pretense of purchasing products, ultimately embezzling the money by cashing it. Additionally, he misappropriated 65.9 million soums in loans under his wife’s and sister’s names.

A criminal case has been initiated against him under Article 167 (Expropriation or robbery by fraud) and Article 228 (Forgery or misuse of documents) of the Criminal Code. Investigations are ongoing.

In Bukhara, the assistant mayor of a neighborhood in the G’ijduvon district engaged in a similar scheme. He recommended preferential loans for 26 citizens, ostensibly for purchasing livestock, leading to the allocation of 821.858 million soums. Using forged documents, he diverted the livestock meant for these citizens and sold them elsewhere, embezzling the loan amount. A criminal case has been initiated under Article 167 (Expropriation or robbery by fraud) and Article 209 (Professional fraud) of the Criminal Code, and investigations are underway.

Earlier, the deputy mayor of Chirchik city in the Tashkent region was also arrested for accepting a $1 million bribe, highlighting ongoing corruption challenges.