A man who posed as a State Security Service (SSS) officer and demanded $30,000 has been arrested in Tashkent, according to the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).

The incident was uncovered during the "Safe and Healthy Country" operational and preventive measures conducted nationwide since March 1. During an operation in Yangikhayot District of Tashkent, MIA and prosecutor's office personnel detained a 52-year-old farm worker.

He introduced himself as a law enforcement officer, offered to assist citizens in difficult situations, and demanded money. Specifically, he told a 41-year-old citizen he was an SSS officer, promised to resolve his criminal case favorably, and demanded $30,000 in return.

On the agreed day, while receiving $10,000 of the demanded sum at a cafe in Sergeli District, he was apprehended by operation participants with material evidence.

A criminal case has been initiated under Part 4 of Article 168 of the Criminal Code (fraud on a particularly large scale) and Article 211 Part 1 via Article 28 (bribery). The investigation is ongoing.

Previously, the head of the prosecutor's office clerical department in Tashkent Region was caught receiving $9,000 from an entrepreneur in exchange for helping resolve an electricity debt at a store.

Source: www.gazeta.uz