Education Ministry official detained with $100,000 in bribery case

A leading specialist from the licensing department of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation has been detained while allegedly receiving $100,000 in exchange for facilitating the issuance of a license for a university branch.

Photo: Frame from the video

According to law enforcement authorities, the official worked in the department responsible for licensing educational institutions within the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of Uzbekistan.

Investigators say he demanded $100,000 from a representative of a private university operating in Karshi. In return, he allegedly promised to quickly secure a positive decision from the ministry allowing the institution to open a branch in Surkhandarya region.

The suspect was detained in Tashkent during a special operation conducted by officers of the regional department of the State Security Service for Kashkadarya region. He was apprehended while receiving the requested sum, with the money seized as material evidence.

The State Security Service has opened a criminal case against the suspect under Article 168, Part 4, Clause “a” of the Criminal Code, which concerns fraud involving particularly large amounts.

A preventive measure of detention has been applied while investigative actions continue.

Officials said citizens who encounter similar violations can report them by contacting the State Security Service through its short hotline number 1520. Authorities stated that the confidentiality of those who submit reports will be guaranteed.