Deputy chief and a worker of Namangan provincial branch of Kumir Taminot (Coal Supply) have been detained on suspicion of corruption, the State Security Service said.
Reportedly, the previously convicted official, through high-ranking acquaintances, promised a coal depot director job in one of the districts in return for $40,000.
On December 6, he received $25,000 of the requested amount through a branch worker, after which he was appointed chief of depot.
The deputy chief of the branch then demanded the remaining $15,000, as well as $7,500 as a "share" for sending 30 coal cars to the depot—a total of $22,500.
While receiving the money—again through a branch worker—they were both detained by the State Security Service and the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General's Office.
A criminal case has been opened against both men under Fraud on an especially large scale and Bribery on an especially large scale charges of the Criminal Code.
The State Security Service reported that following the operation, timely coal supplies at discounted prices for the public have been restored.
