SSS detains entrepreneur for offering $30,000 bribe to bypass emergency safety checks

An entrepreneur has been apprehended in Tashkent while attempting to bribe an official from the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) to bypass safety regulations for a newly constructed residential building. The State Security Service (SSS) reported that the individual sought to gain illegal approval for a 12–story apartment complex that contained several unresolved structural and safety deficiencies.

According to the investigation, the head of a local limited liability company (LLC) attempted to facilitate the formal commissioning of the high-rise building located in the Yakkasaray district. To ensure a positive outcome for his application submitted via the "Nazorat.MS.UZ" electronic portal, the businessman offered a bribe of $30,000 to an officer of the Tashkent City Emergency Situations Department.

Despite the developer's push for approval, the 12–story building reportedly failed to meet several mandatory standards. Rather than addressing these technical shortcomings, the entrepreneur opted to influence the official oversight process through illicit payment.

Following a report of the offer, law enforcement agencies coordinated a sting operation. The head of the LLC was caught red–handed while handing over $30,000 to the emergency official. The cash was seized as physical evidence at the scene.

A criminal case has been initiated against the entrepreneur under Article 211, Part 3, Point "a" of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, which pertains to large-scale bribery. Given the severity of the charges and the potential risk to public safety posed by the substandard construction, the court has applied a precautionary measure of detention.

Investigative procedures are currently ongoing to determine if other individuals or regulatory breaches were involved in the construction project.