In Syrdarya region, a high-ranking tax official has been caught red-handed accepting a bribe in the form of gold jewelry from a local entrepreneur. The head of a department at the regional tax administration was detained during an operation by security and law enforcement agencies.

According to the investigation, the official abused his position to pressure the director of a limited liability company engaged in jewelry trade. The tax officer allegedly claimed that the company had concealed a turnover exceeding 1 billion soums and evaded mandatory payments.

As a 'solution,' he proposed waiving an artificially imposed fine of 145 million soums and promised future patronage. In return, he demanded gold jewelry worth 10 million soums.

The arrest was carried out by operatives of the State Security Service, the Prosecutor's Office, the Department for Combating Economic Crimes, and the compliance control department of the tax administration. The official was caught in the act while receiving the jewelry.

A criminal case has been initiated against the detainee, and investigative actions are ongoing. Law enforcement authorities remind citizens who face extortion by state officials to call the SSS hotline 1520, available 24/7, with confidentiality guaranteed.

Source: podrobno.uz