Energy sector official detained for bribery in Surkhandarya

A criminal case has been opened against an energy sector official in the Surkhandarya region, the State Security Service reported.

According to the information, the head of the Altynsay district department of the "Energosavdo" branch of "Territorial Electric Networks" JSC, in collusion with the chief specialist of the district water supply service, demanded 5 million soums in exchange for reconnecting a cotton farm to the public electricity network despite its debt. They also intended to return the farm’s electronic meter, which was in the official’s possession.

During a swift operation carried out jointly by the State Security Service and the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General's Office, the suspects were detained with material evidence while receiving the bribe.

A criminal case has been initiated, and an investigation is ongoing.

It is worth noting that earlier, the deputy governor of Farish district in Jizzakh region was detained after receiving 20,000 dollars. Using his official position, he had demanded 30,000 dollars to prevent the return of 204 hectares of irrigated land—won at auction by an agriculture-focused LLC in June of this year—to the district administration’s reserve, and to allow the land’s free use in the future.