Tashkent emergency services high-ranking official arrested for bribery

A criminal case has been initiated against the Deputy Head of the Tashkent City Emergency Situations Department on charges of bribery and corruption.

As part of an anti-corruption operation, the State Security Service (SSS) uncovered illegal activities involving the official during covert investigative measures.

According to reports, the accused official abused his position by demanding and accepting bribes in exchange for approving various construction projects in Tashkent. Specifically, he accepted illicit payments for:

• Approving architectural blueprints of new buildings;
• Signing off on fire alarm system reports;
• Issuing positive evaluations for newly constructed or renovated buildings before their final state approval.

Among the affected projects were public institutions, including a general education school and a medical facility.

A criminal case has been launched under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code, and the official has been placed in pre-trial detention.

The investigation is ongoing.