Uzbek contractor detained in Akhangaran over $83,500 bribe demand

September 19, 2026 at 12:50 PM1 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

A general contractor in Uzbekistan's Akhangaran district was detained while receiving $83,500 in cash, the Prosecutor General's Office reported. The contractor had demanded the money from a subcontractor to secure an asphalt paving contract and release 1.2 billion soums in unpaid work. A criminal case has been opened.

Key Facts

The general contractor signed a 3.7 billion soum contract in April 2026 for asphalting internal roads at a poultry farm.
The contractor paid 2.5 billion soums to the subcontractor but withheld 1.2 billion soums.
The contractor demanded $83,500 from the subcontractor's founder to secure the asphalting contract and release the remaining 1.2 billion soums.
The contractor was detained by the State Security Service and the Department for Combating Economic Crimes while receiving the demanded cash.

The Detention

The head of the LLC acting as general contractor was detained in Akhangaran district, Tashkent region, while receiving $83,500 in cash. The operation was conducted by the State Security Service's Tashkent regional department and the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General's Office. The contractor was caught with material evidence at the moment of receiving the demanded funds.

Contract and Payment Dispute

In April 2026, the general contractor signed a 3.7 billion soum contract with a subcontractor for asphalting internal roads at a poultry farm. The subcontractor completed the work, and the general contractor transferred 2.5 billion soums of the agreed amount. The remaining 1.2 billion soums were not paid, with the contractor delaying settlement. The contractor then demanded $83,500 from the subcontractor's founder, citing the need to secure the asphalting contract and release the outstanding 1.2 billion soums.

Legal Proceedings

A criminal case has been opened against the detained contractor. Investigative actions are currently underway.