Photo: SGB Press Service
While our country is waging a fierce and uncompromising fight against evils such as corruption and extortion, it is regrettable that individuals who abuse their official powers in pursuit of easy wealth still exist. As a result of recent operational measures carried out by the State Security Service (SGB) of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Jizzakh and Fergana regions, officials who committed such illegal acts were caught red-handed.
We provide the details of these major operations, conducted to protect the rights of our people and entrepreneurs and to break the chains of fraud and bribery, for you, our dear readers.
Jizzakh official's 'plan' foiled
The first unpleasant incident was observed in the Jizzakh region. A responsible official of the Sharof Rashidov District Hokimiyat, abusing his position, managed to gain the trust of a local entrepreneur. He promised to register 45 acres of fertile land under the district reclamation department for the entrepreneur through his close connections in high circles. To ensure progress, he also offered to employ the entrepreneur's 24-year-old acquaintance at a private enterprise (LLC).
Of course, such 'generosity' was not free. The official demanded a bribe of $500 from the entrepreneur in exchange for these services.
The arrest process: During an operational event conducted in cooperation with the State Security Service and the Department for Combating Economic Crimes, this official was caught red-handed while receiving the requested money. Pre-investigation inquiries revealed that he had previously extorted 3.5 million soums from the entrepreneur under the pretext of solving these problems and spent it for his own needs.
Bank manager in Fergana demands interest for billions in loans
The second major crime was uncovered in the Fergana Valley. The head of a Fergana bank service center of one of our country's prestigious commercial banks used his position to take advantage of the naivety of a citizen who wanted to start his own business.
The official promised to allocate a large loan of 2.5 billion soums to the entrepreneur through his acquaintances at the bank's head office. However, in return, he demanded 5 percent of the total allocated amount, i.e., in cash 125 million soums as a service fee.
Region | Official | Requested amount | Evidence at the time of arrest |
Jizzakh | District Hokimiyat official | $500 (+ 3.5 million soums previously taken) | At the moment of receiving the money |
Fergana | Head of Bank Service Center | 125 million soums | Initial $10,000while receiving |
During the operational event organized by the SGB and the Prosecutor's Department, the bank official was caught while receiving $10,000 as part of the requested amount, putting an end to his illicit activities.
Punishment for crime is inevitable
Today, criminal cases have been initiated against the violators regarding these two incidents under the relevant articles, and investigations are being conducted under strict procedures.
The State Security Service asks our compatriots to be vigilant. If you or your loved ones encounter such instances of injustice and lawlessness, do not hesitate to call the SGB short number 1520 and report it. Most importantly, the state strictly guarantees that the personal data of the reporting citizen will be kept completely confidential. Let us protect our peaceful and just life together, dear readers!
Read “Zamin” on Telegram!
