Law enforcement agencies in the Samarkand region of Uzbekistan have exposed a corrupt official within the local environmental protection framework. The head of the Jomboy district ecology and environmental protection department, a 39-year-old individual identified as J.R., was apprehended during a special operation while accepting an illegal bribe.

According to court records, the official attempted to leverage his authority following the illegal felling of nearly 100 poplar trees in the Zarafshan neighborhood. Instead of taking legal action, he allegedly offered to overlook the violation, mitigate the officially assessed environmental damage, and release a detained truck from an impound lot. In exchange for these illicit services, the official demanded a computer workstation (monoblock) valued at 11 million soms. He was caught red-handed in his office on June 26 while receiving the requested hardware.

During the subsequent trial, the defendant admitted to the factual circumstances but offered a dubious defense, claiming he requested the computer equipment solely because his workplace allegedly lacked adequate hardware. He stated that while intermediaries offered him cash, he opted to demand office equipment instead, insisting he never promised to officially reduce the fine amount.

The Jomboy District Criminal Court ultimately found J.R. guilty of accepting a bribe under Part 1 of Article 210 of the Criminal Code. The court sentenced him to five years in prison, alongside stripping him of the right to hold managerial and materially responsible positions in state-affiliated organizations for a period of two years.

Source: kun.uz