University officials in Tashkent face criminal charges over budget theft

Officials from the Tashkent branch of the Samarkand State University of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Husbandry, and Biotechnology were found to have embezzled budget funds by overpaying salaries amounting to 740 million soums. This was reported by Sherzod Saparov, press secretary of the Anti-Corruption Agency.

The Anti-Corruption Agency, in collaboration with the Department for Combating Economic Crimes, launched an investigation into the activities of the university’s Tashkent branch following an appeal.

“As a result of the investigation, it was determined that branch officials had overpaid salaries and misappropriated budget funds, violating legal requirements,” the agency stated.

A criminal case has been opened against the officials under the relevant article of the Criminal Code. All collected documents have been transferred to the prosecutor’s office for further legal action.

It should be noted that similar violations were uncovered earlier this year. In August, state procurement worth 403 million soums for heating system repairs at the Ahangaron City Vocational School was found to have been mismanaged, resulting in significant legal breaches.