A criminal case against Akmalxon Ortikov, former director of Uzbekistan's State Assets Management Agency, has been submitted to the Mirabad District Criminal Court for consideration.

Ortikov is charged under paragraphs 'a', 'v', and 'g' of Part 3 of Article 167 (Embezzlement or misappropriation on an especially large scale, committed by an organized group or in its interests, using computer technology), paragraphs 'a' and 'b' of Part 2 of Article 206 (Abuse of power or official authority causing especially large damage and in the interests of an organized group), and Part 1 and paragraphs 'a' and 'b' of Part 2 of Article 209 (Official forgery, including repeated or by a dangerous recidivist, in the interests of an organized group) of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan. If convicted on all charges, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

Along with the former agency head, five other individuals are implicated in the case. They include Ziyoviddin Jabbarov, head of Smart Expert Group; Zuhriddin Nigmanxanov, founder of the appraisal company Veritas; Ravshan Xalitkariyev, founder of Master Expert; Saidjon Saidov; and Shermatjon Jo‘rayev, director of the appraisal company Kontinent Imkon Baho. All are charged with embezzlement or misappropriation and official forgery, while three face additional charges of abuse of power in a non-governmental organization.

The State Assets Management Agency's interests in court are represented by Timur Alibekov, head of the internal audit department.

Ortikov was dismissed from his post as head of the agency in January 2026. At that time, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the discovery of multi-billion-dollar embezzlement within the agency system.

Source: uznews.uz