Uzbek prosecutors uncover 1.3 billion soum budget embezzlement scheme in Navoi

September 12, 2026 at 11:00 AM1 min

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Uzbek prosecutors have opened a criminal case over the embezzlement of 1.3 billion soums of budget funds in Navoi region. The scheme involved officials of the state institution Navoiysuvqurilishinvest, a meliorative expedition under the Lower Zarafshan irrigation basin authority, and two private companies, who allegedly falsified documents for DIVER equipment. Investigative actions are ongoing.

Key Facts

The embezzlement amount is 1.3 billion soums, according to the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General's Office.
A criminal case has been opened under Article 167 of the Criminal Code (embezzlement or misappropriation).
The scheme involved officials of Navoiysuvqurilishinvest, a meliorative expedition under the Lower Zarafshan irrigation basin authority, and two LLCs identified as N.S. and B.Z.
Payments for DIVER equipment were made in full under contracts, but documents were falsified to embezzle the funds.

The Scheme

The Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General's Office conducted a pre-investigation check in Navoi region. The check found that officials of Navoiysuvqurilishinvest, a meliorative expedition under the Lower Zarafshan irrigation basin authority, and two LLCs identified as N.S. and B.Z. colluded. Although payments for DIVER equipment were made in full under contracts, the officials added false entries to documents. Through these falsified documents, 1.3 billion soums of budget funds were embezzled or misappropriated.

Criminal Case

A criminal case has been opened under Article 167 of the Criminal Code, which covers embezzlement or misappropriation. Investigative actions are currently underway.