Erkin Alimov, who served as governor of Muzrabat district in Surxondaryo region from 2018 to 2022, has been appointed to a new position as head of the Uzbekistan Neighborhood Association's department for Surxondaryo region, the regional administration announced.

The appointment was made public on July 6 during a meeting attended by Surxondaryo governor Ulugbek Kasymov and first deputy chairman of the Uzbekistan Neighborhood Association Jovdatkhan Inagamov. Prior to this appointment, Alimov worked in the private sector.

In November 2022, a criminal case was opened against Alimov under articles 167 (embezzlement), 205 (abuse of power), and 209 (official forgery) of the Criminal Code. The investigation revealed that he had registered a 4.2-hectare land plot worth 1.7 billion soums to close relatives without an auction.

Additionally, district banks issued preferential loans totaling 166 billion soums to his relatives, most of which turned into non-performing loans. “Banking institutions are currently working to recover 121.406 billion soums in loan funds for which timely payments were not made,” the statement said.

An audit at Surxondaryodonmahsulotlari JSC also uncovered the theft of 9,600 tons of grain worth 35 billion soums involving the former governor. No official information has been released about the closure of the criminal case.

Alimov's new appointment has raised questions among the public, given the unresolved legal proceedings against him.

Source: kun.uz