Criminal case initiated against Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Department Head

It was revealed that 186 billion soums in budget funds were embezzled through public procurement within the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and criminal cases have been initiated against Deputy Minister Bekmurod Abdullayev and Department Head Rustam Tursunov. This was announced today, January 27, during a videoconference meeting chaired by the President, held at the Security Directorate under the Main Department of Internal Affairs of Tashkent City.

“Take note: effective control will be established over every soum of state funds. Responsibility is inevitable, and punishment will be severe,” the President said.

For this reason, a compliance and internal anti-corruption control system has recently been introduced in the Administration and state bodies.

It was noted as a deeply alarming situation that, within a short period, financial violations amounting to 53 trillion soums related to budget revenues, embezzlement, and financial shortcomings, as well as more than USD 8 billion in debt related to foreign trade operations, were identified.

As a result of corruption schemes, damage totaling 4.2 trillion soums was identified, of which 1.3 trillion soums has been recovered, and 55 individuals have been arrested.

For example, within the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the embezzlement of 186 billion soums in budget funds through public procurement was uncovered, leading to the initiation of criminal cases against Deputy Minister Bekmurod Abdullayev and Department Head Rustam Tursunov. Overall, it was noted that the activities of officials responsible for security in state bodies and enterprises should also be critically reviewed.

“We need a corps of young leaders with high professional competence and strong demands,” the President said.

It was pointed out that although the age limit for service in the law enforcement system is 55 for colonels and 60 for generals, more than 300 officials exceeding this age are currently holding leadership positions. Meanwhile, all managerial personnel within the system of the Ministry of Emergency Situations are under the age of 50.

The importance of appointing young personnel to leadership positions, while utilizing the experience of those of retirement age as mentors and instructors or creating a system in which they mentor young people at the community level, was emphasized.