Deputy khokim of Kosonsoy district detained while receiving 65 million soums for solar panels

Detention in Kosonsoy

The deputy khokim of Kosonsoy district in Namangan region has been detained on suspicion of taking a bribe, the press service of the State Security Service of Uzbekistan reported. The operation was carried out by officers of the SSS directorate for Namangan region together with the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General's Office. The name and surname of the detainee are not disclosed.

The essence of the accusation

According to the SSS, the official, abusing his powers, demanded that a local entrepreneur install solar panels with a capacity of 20 kW at his residential house. In case of refusal, he threatened to transfer the land plot leased to the entrepreneur by the district khokimiyat to another businessman. He received the money — 65 million soums to cover the costs of purchasing and installing the panels — in his official car, where he was detained with material evidence during the operation.

Criminal case and next steps

A criminal case has been opened against the suspect under Article 210 of the Criminal Code — taking a bribe. Investigative actions are currently underway. The detention was also reported on the XAVFSIZLIK Telegram channel, which is linked to the SSS.

Context and significance

The case illustrates a typical scheme of pressure on business through control over leased land: according to the investigation, the lever of extortion was the threat of taking away the plot allocated by the khokimiyat. For entrepreneurs in the region, this means that such appeals can end in operational detentions involving the SSS and the Department under the Prosecutor General's Office. The name of the detainee, his exact official duties and the results of the investigation remain unknown — sources do not disclose this information.