The number of corrupt officials identified in Uzbekistan has increased dramatically

In Uzbekistan, in the first half of 2021, 1,676 criminal cases on cases of corruption offenses against 2,544 officials were investigated and sent to court. For the whole of 2020, “corruption” cases were initiated against 1,723 people. This was announced by the director of the Anti-Corruption Agency Akmal Burkhanov, the press service of the agency reports. Learn more at https://newsfuturist.com/corruption-in-uzbekistan.html. 

Most of the defendants - 1297 people (51%) - were officials who committed crimes under Article 167 ("Theft by misappropriation or embezzlement") of the Criminal Code. Another 420 people were prosecuted under article 168 ("Fraud"), 80 people - under article 210 ("Taking a bribe"), 58 people - under article 205 ("Abuse of power or authority"), 4 people - under article 206 (“Abuse of power or official authority”, 18 people - under article 209 (“Official forgery”) of the Criminal Code.

The largest number of corrupt officials - 107 people - was found among the employees of the Ministry of Health, in second place - 74 people - the Ministry of Public Education, in the third - 66 people - members of the management of state enterprises. The list also includes representatives of banks, other ministries, agencies and committees.

Based on the results of court proceedings, it was established that the material damage in criminal cases of corruption considered in the first half of 2021 amounted to 592.5 billion soums ($55.6 million). Of this amount, the Bureau of Compulsory Enforcement under the General Prosecutor's Office has so far recovered 170.8 billion soums (28%).

The fight against corruption in Uzbekistan was announced in 2016. Three years later, Mirziyoyev approved an anti-corruption program. In June 2020, the Anti-Corruption Agency was formed, it reports directly to the President of the country and reports to the Parliament. In September 2021, the Ministry of Justice registered the first anti-corruption non-governmental organization in Uzbekistan, the analytical center Uzbekistonda ochiklik va shaffoflik (Transparency Uzbekistan).