Samarkand Police Officer Jailed for Helping Illegal Gold Operations
A senior operative in Samarkand has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of accepting bribes to facilitate illegal gold ore processing activities. The officer, identified as L.M., was convicted of accepting a 6-million-soum bribe in exchange for alerting a local individual about upcoming police raids and turning a blind eye to unauthorized gold processing operations.
According to court documents reviewed by Kun.uz, L.M. had been working in law enforcement since 2005 and joined the Pakhtachi District Criminal Investigation Department in October 2023. The incident in question occurred on May 31, 2024, when L.M. was caught during an undercover operation accepting the bribe from a resident, M.Q., to overlook the activities of M.Q.’s associate, U.M., who was engaging in illegal gold processing.
During the trial, L.M. admitted to the charges, citing financial pressure as the reason for accepting the bribe. He explained that he initially refused M.Q.’s proposal but eventually agreed due to mounting financial difficulties, including medical expenses for his wife and sister, as well as fines. L.M. claimed that he never explicitly demanded payment but accepted it when offered.
As a result of the conviction under Article 210, Part 1, of the Criminal Code regarding bribery offenses, L.M. was sentenced to two years in prison and prohibited from holding official positions with financial responsibility in law enforcement for three years.
This case comes on the heels of another recent incident in the region where another officer was sentenced to prison for aiding a drug courier. The convictions serve as a warning against corruption and illegal activities within law enforcement in Samarkand.
