Tax Inspectorate head in Syrdarya dismissed over harassment case

The head of the Tax Inspectorate in the city of Yangiyer, Syrdarya region, has been dismissed after allegedly sexually exploiting a businesswoman. The news was reported by Abdurakhmon Tashanov, head of the Ezgulik human rights organization.

According to reports, the official, identified as A.B., sent sexually explicit text messages to the woman, whose husband was abroad, and harassed her for several months. He reportedly sent inspectors to her shop on several occasions. Later, he allegedly wrote that he was “worried” about her and suggested meeting over tea in the evening. Frightened by his messages, the woman stayed home for several days and avoided going to her shop.

The Yangiyer city prosecutor’s office opened an administrative case under Article 183 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (petty hooliganism). Meanwhile, the State Tax Committee conducted a service inspection and dismissed A.B. from his position.

Human rights defender Abdurakhmon Tashanov criticized the prosecutor’s office for limiting the case to petty hooliganism.

“The Internal Security Department of the State Tax Committee transferred the case materials to the prosecutor’s office for legal action, and the prosecutor opened a case on petty hooliganism. But this so-called ‘petty hooliganism’ and our mentality could have destroyed a family and increased the number of orphans. I do not want to publish the SMS messages and make the family’s situation worse, but why the prosecutor’s office is concealing an obvious abuse of power is a question we must raise.

This businesswoman is not defenseless. If not for the pressure from the tax chief, she would have known how to respond. But when state power is involved, things change. Sadly, prosecutors often treat ordinary people harshly while turning a blind eye to officials. That is why I believe our sisters and brothers fighting for women’s rights should respond to such actions and set an example, even if only virtually,” Tashanov wrote.

It is worth noting that earlier, an official of the Ministry of Preschool and School Education was accused of offering a woman sexual favors in exchange for helping her obtain a management certificate and secure a school principal position.