Education and healthcare sectors recorded the most corruption convictions in Uzbekistan in 2024

Every fifth person convicted of corruption in Uzbekistan last year received a real prison term. The number of such verdicts grew only slightly, while more than 40% of offenders continued to receive corrective labor sentences. The share of freedom restriction verdicts declined, while the proportion of fines increased.

According to the 2024 National Report on Combating Corruption, presented on 16 September in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis by Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency Akmal Burkhanov, a total of 7,354 people were held criminally liable for corruption-related crimes under 4,649 cases.

The number of convicted individuals rose by 12.5% compared with 2023 (6,535), while the number of such crimes increased by 12.6% (4,128).

Of those convicted, 1,525 people (20.7%) were sentenced to imprisonment. In 2023, that figure stood at 1,299 out of 6,535 convicts (19.9%). This represents an increase of 226 in absolute numbers and a 0.8 percentage point rise in the share of prison sentences.

At the same time, the share of corrective labor sentences slightly decreased – 2,991 people or 40.7% in 2024 compared with 2,721 people or 41.6% a year earlier. A similar trend was seen in freedom restriction verdicts – 1,080 people (14.7%) versus 1,076 (16.5%) in 2023.

The number and share of fines grew moderately – 1,121 people (15.2%) compared with 982 (15%) the previous year.

Other categories, including suspended sentences, community service, and deprivation of certain rights, showed minor changes or declines both in absolute figures and in their share.

In 2024, courts also released 86 people (1.2%) from punishment, down from 149 cases in 2023 (2.3%). Meanwhile, 265 people (3.6%) remained unpunished, compared with 227 (3.5%) the year before.

A new category also appeared in the statistics – case dismissals, totaling 212 instances (2.9%).

For a deeper and more accurate analysis, data is required on verdicts broken down by types of corruption-related crimes, as well as the length of prison terms.

Earlier, it was reported that in 2024, 7,354 people in Uzbekistan were punished for corruption-related crimes – 12.5% more than a year earlier. The financial damage caused by corruption doubled to UZS 2.8 trillion. Andijan region led both in the number of convicted individuals and in total damage. The highest number of convictions was recorded in the education and healthcare sectors.

Corruption-related crimes are classified into 16 categories, including embezzlement or misappropriation, fraud using official position, bribery, official forgery, and abuse of power or official authority for personal gain, among others.

Prepared by: Дониёр Тухсинов

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