Former Deputy Interior Minister detained in major state procurement corruption case

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has confirmed the opening of a criminal case against former Deputy Interior Minister Bekmurod Abdullaev and former head of the Penitentiary Department Rustam Tursunov, who are accused of embezzling UZs 186 billion ($15 million) in public funds during state procurement processes within the Interior Ministry system.

The confirmation came during a government meeting held on January 27, at which the president outlined the results of newly introduced internal compliance and anti-corruption control mechanisms across the Presidential Administration and state institutions.

According to Mirziyoyev, large-scale financial violations amounting to UZS 53 trillion were uncovered in budget revenues, embezzlement cases, and financial mismanagement, while more than $8 billion in outstanding liabilities were identified in foreign trade operations. The president described the findings as deeply alarming.

“Let this be clear: effective oversight will be established over every single penny of public money. Accountability is inevitable, and punishment will be severe,” Mirziyoyev said.

The president stated that damage caused by corruption schemes nationwide has been estimated at UZS 4.2 trillion, of which UZS 1.3 trillion has already been recovered. A total of 55 individuals have been detained in connection with these cases.

As a specific example, Mirziyoyev cited the Interior Ministry, where investigators uncovered the misappropriation of UZS 186 billion during state procurement procedures. Criminal proceedings were launched against Abdullaev and Tursunov in connection with the case, and both former officials have been placed in custody.

Earlier, on November 3, 2025, Kun.uz reported that Abdullaev and Tursunov had been dismissed from their posts and were being investigated within the framework of the same criminal case, with detention imposed as a preventive measure.

Subsequently, Daryo, citing its own sources, reported that the former officials were suspected of large-scale embezzlement of state property, abuse of office, and other offenses. At the time, the estimated damage was said to exceed UZS 100 billion.

According to available information, the alleged losses to state interests were caused by a criminal scheme in which locally manufactured traffic lights and other road equipment installed in Tashkent and regional centers were falsely presented as imported products, allowing inflated procurement prices to be charged.