Fergana ecology official caught taking $10,000 bribe to overlook environmental violations

According to pre-trial inspection materials, the official had failed to take any legal action for nearly a year regarding the cutting down of wild trees and unauthorized sand clearing across a 4–hectare plot of land located in the Arab neighborhood of the district. Investigative findings revealed that the official explicitly demanded $10,000 from a citizen in exchange for continuing to turn a blind eye to these violations and withholding lawful penalties.

An operation conducted jointly by the Regional Department of Internal Affairs and other law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of the ecology department worker as they received the money. The middleman who brokered the illicit transaction was also detained at the scene, and the cash was seized as material evidence.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle driven by the intermediary, law enforcement officers discovered substances resembling narcotics. The suspected drugs were documented and confiscated by officials as additional evidence.

A criminal case has been launched in connection with the incident under Articles 168 and 211 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan. Preliminary investigative proceedings are currently underway to establish the full details of the case.