In Uzbekistan's Syrdarya region, a corruption scheme involving a local government official has been thwarted. The official allegedly promised a businessman help in obtaining land in the city center for a large sum and was caught red-handed.

The operation was carried out by the State Security Service and the regional prosecutor's office. According to the investigation, a responsible employee of the Gulistan city administration used his position to gain the trust of a citizen planning to start a business.

He allegedly promised to arrange, through influential acquaintances, the allocation of 0.02 hectares of state-owned land for a grocery store. He reportedly valued his services at $50,000.

Part of the bribe was taken in the form of a car: he valued the businessman's Lasetti at $12,000 and, after issuing a power of attorney, kept the vehicle. He was detained while receiving an additional $8,000.

A criminal case has been opened against the suspect, and he has been placed in custody. The investigation is ongoing.

This is not an isolated case of corruption among officials. Earlier, in the Bukhara region, law enforcement detained the deputy governor of Kagan district for bribery. He allegedly demanded $15,000 for "resolving the issue" of water supply to a farmer and was caught while receiving part of the sum.

Source: podrobno.uz