Uzbekistan’s State Security Service has announced the arrest of Anvarjon Otakhodjayev, mayor of Namangan, who is suspected of accepting a bribe worth $60,000.
According to investigators, the mayor and the head of a local company demanded the money from an entrepreneur in exchange for securing a land plot for housing construction. The security service noted that Otakhodjayev was detained while receiving the payment through an intermediary, identified as the head of the city administration’s office.
Authorities confirmed that his parliamentary immunity has been withdrawn and he has been placed in custody. A criminal case has been opened on charges of accepting a large bribe, while his associate is under investigation for fraud and complicity.
Otakhodjayev was appointed mayor of Namangan at the end of 2023, having previously served as head of Chartak district from 2019 to 2023.
