The State Security Service (SSS) arrested the mayor Makhmud Kholbutaev of the Sharaf-Rashidov district in Jizzakh province on suspicion of committing corruption crimes.
Reportedly, the chief specialist at the construction, communications, utilities, ecology and landscaping department of the district mayor’s office demanded $30 thousand from an owner of a construction firm to obtain permission from the district mayor to build eight multi-story buildings on a 1.7 ha land plot.
On July 5, the chief specialist received $10 thousand of the requested amount and handed it over to the mayor. On July 8, he received the remaining $20 thousand from the businessman and provided him with documents signed by the mayor for permission to build a multi-story building.
TheSSS officers arrested the men in front of the mayor office building, while the mayor wasr receiving $10 thousand.
The mayor of Sharaf-Rashidov district has been stripped of parliamentary immunity, a criminal case has been opened against him under the Taking bribe charge, whereas the chief specialist is facing Fraud and Giving bribe charges of the Criminal Code.
