Uzbek presidential press service alleges two former interior ministry officials embezzled $15.3 million through procurement, including declaring domestic traffic lights as imports
Subject of this story
What happened
Uzbekistan's presidential press service said that 186 billion soums ($15.3 million) in budget funds were embezzled through interior ministry procurement of road infrastructure, including traffic lights declared as imported though domestically made, inflating costs. Former deputy interior minister Bekmurod Abdullayev and former corrections chief Rustam Tursunov were dismissed by presidential decree on November 3, 2025 and detained in January 2026 on suspicion of large-scale embezzlement and abuse of office. According to Anhor.uz, Abdullayev's custody was changed to bail in April 2026 after he reportedly repaid more than 200 billion soums, and his case with 29 other defendants went to the Yangihayot District Court, with hearings from July 29 and closed sessions. Tursunov's bail status was not reported. Nobody has been convicted in the sources.
By the numbers (1)
● confirmed by a primary document · ○ reported
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- bne IntelliNews
UZS186bn ($15.3mn) in budget funds were embezzled through state procurement within the interior ministry
Sources (3)
Response
Contacted and made an on-record admission — exact wording not on record.
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