Tax inspectors caught accepting bribes in Syrdarya and Andijan (video)

In Syrdarya and Andijan regions, tax inspectors were apprehended for accepting bribes, the State Security Service reported.

According to authorities, on November 7, during an inspection at a private company in Syrdarya district, the chief inspector of the Syrdarya Regional Tax Department identified an outstanding tax debt of 400 million soums.

Although administrative liability is legally prescribed for such cases, the head of the tax office allegedly colluded with the chief inspector to reduce the debt to 90 million soums in exchange for a bribe. The inspector was caught with 1,500 US dollars during a sting operation conducted jointly by the State Security Service and prosecutors, with physical evidence seized on the spot.

The operation continued, and the chief inspector was also detained when he formally delivered the document reducing the tax debt to the company’s manager.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the tax officials under Article 210, Part 2, Clauses “v” and “g” of the Criminal Code (Receiving a Bribe), and they have been remanded in custody.

In a separate case in Andijan, a tax department inspector was investigating a company installing solar panels in Ulugnor district. He found the company was not operating at its registered address and identified inconsistencies in the reported inventory. While performing his duties, the inspector demanded 500 US dollars from the company’s accountant in exchange for not reporting the violations and lifting the freeze on the company’s bank account.

During a rapid response operation conducted jointly by the State Security Service, the Tax Committee’s Personal Security Department, and the Anti-Economic Crime Department, the inspector was caught transferring funds equivalent to 6 million soums to two bank cards belonging to his relatives.

Criminal proceedings have been opened against him under Article 210, Part 2, Clause “v” of the Criminal Code, and he has been placed in custody.

It is worth noting that earlier in Jizzakh region, a head of a district Emergency Situations Department was caught soliciting bribes in exchange for approving various construction projects.