Deputy Governor of the Andijan province Isomiddin Ismanov, was apprehended at his residence while allegedly accepting a $50,000 bribe.
The investigation reveals that the Deputy Governor solicited the funds from a man in exchange for securing 0.2 hectares of state-reserve land in the Bobur village for a new business venture. Ismanov reportedly promised to use his influence over the Provincial Department of Construction and Housing to place the land on the auction block, finalize the registration in the citizen's name, and guarantee the subsequent issuance of construction permits.
Following a formal complaint, the State Security Service (DXX) and law enforcement agencies launched a sting operation on April 4. The official was caught red-handed at home as he received the requested cash. On April 5, the Andijan Provincial Prosecutor's Office opened criminal proceedings under Articles 25, 168 (Attempted Fraud) and 28, 211 (Bribery) of the Criminal Code. Ismanov has since been taken into custody.
Ismanov had been serving as the Deputy Governor in charge of Tourism, Culture, Cultural Heritage, and Mass Communications since December 2025. His career includes an extensive background within the Interior Ministry; notably, from 2022 to 2025, he served as the Deputy chief of the Andijan Provincial Interior Ministry and Chief of the Public Safety Service. In 2021, he was honored with the "For Loyal Service" medal.
This incident follows a pattern of high-level misconduct in the province. In the fall of 2024, Botirjon Hamroyev, then-Deputy Governor for Investment, was sentenced to seven years for embezzlement and abuse of power. Although initial reports of vast cash reserves at his home went unconfirmed, Hamroyev was released in January 2026 after an appeals court commuted his sentence following the restitution of damages.
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