District governor in Jizzakh caught taking bribe

Sharof Rashidov district governor Mahmud Kholbotaev was caught red-handed taking a $10,000 bribe and is now facing criminal charges, according to the State Security Service (SSS).

A senior specialist from the district administration had promised a local entrepreneur a land plot for constructing multi-storey residential buildings. In exchange, the official demanded a $30,000 bribe. On July 5 of this year, the specialist took $10,000 from the entrepreneur and handed it over to the district governor.

Three days later, on July 8, the remaining $20,000 was also obtained from the entrepreneur. In return, the entrepreneur was provided with documents granting permission — based on a decision signed by the governor — to construct eight apartment buildings on a 1.7-hectare land plot originally allocated for a public school in the “Tokchilik” neighborhood.

The illegal transaction was interrupted by SSS officers right as the senior specialist was handing over $10,000 to the governor in front of the district administration building.

As a result, a criminal case has been opened against Governor Kholbotaev under Article 210 of the Criminal Code (bribery), and against the senior specialist under Articles 168 (fraud) and 211 (bribe-giving).

The governor has also been stripped of his parliamentary immunity.

For context, Mahmud Kholbotaev previously served as governor of Mirzachul district and as deputy governor of Jizzakh region for agriculture and water resources (2010–2011 and 2018–2019). He had been serving as the governor of Sharof Rashidov district since October 26, 2019.

Notably, he was awarded the “Dostlik” (Friendship) Order in connection with the 33rd anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence.