Ministry of Culture speaks about possible embezzlement of UNESCO grants allotted to develop historical cities of Uzbekistan

The Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan spoke about funds which has been allocated by UNESCO since 1995 but “disappeared” each time, Sputnik reports.

“We found an interesting document. Since 1995, UNESCO has allocated grants to our cities several times,” Deputy Culture Minister Akilova said.

Funds were allotted for the creation of a management plan for Samarkand and Bukhara, as well as for the restoration of specific historical sites.

“It is high time to appoint a special commission and establish where the money has gone,” she said.

Reportedly, it is about specific people and more detailed information will be provided later.

In turn, the Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Sayfullayev said that no one seriously controlled the work in these cities, and khokims sold land plots without permission - they were engaged only in construction and demolition.

Only in 2018 a resolution of ministers was adopted, from which it followed that without prior permission of UNESCO no one has the right to build or demolish houses.

It should be recalled that, recently, the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis adopted a resolution to protect cultural heritage sites.