An employee of the district ecology department in Uzbekistan's Fergana region has been detained on suspicion of accepting a large bribe. According to investigators, for nearly a year he ignored illegal tree felling on a four-hectare plot in the Arab mahalla of Buvaydin district.

The official allegedly demanded $10,000 through an intermediary in exchange for not prosecuting those responsible. During a sting operation, law enforcement first arrested the intermediary, then the ecology officer red-handed while receiving the money.

A search of the intermediary's car also uncovered substances resembling narcotics, which were seized and sent for analysis.

A criminal case has been opened under articles for fraud and bribery. The investigation is ongoing.

Previously, Tashkent's mayor Shavkat Umurzakov stated that tree cutting is undesirable, but if it serves socially significant projects 'for the benefit of the people,' removing a tree should not be seen as a tragedy.

Source: podrobno.uz