Civil servant detained for embezzlement of foreign aid

An employee of the executive body of state power of the Farhor district has been detained by the Agency for State Financial Control and the Fight Against Corruption of Tajikistan.

According to the press center of the anti-corruption agency, he is accused of fraud and abuse of office.

According to the investigation, a number of employees of the executive body of state power of the Farhor district are involved in the embezzlement of funds from foreign aid intended for needy and poor local residents.

During a financial and economic audit conducted by the Agency for the Fight Against Corruption of Tajikistan in the Farhor district, serious violations were identified. According to the agency, “From October 2023 to March 2024, 374,999 kg of seeds and mineral fertilizers were delivered to the Department of Agriculture of the executive body of state power of the Farhor district at the expense of foreign aid from the International Development Association, which were handed over for storage and further distribution among needy households to the leading specialist – accountant of this department, Ismoilov T.S.”

“During these 6 months, Ismoilov T.S., being a materially responsible person, intentionally and with the aim of embezzling funds from the foreign aid fund, through the forgery of accounting documents, appropriated 20,805 kg of seeds and mineral fertilizers worth a total of 204,822 somoni and spent them on his personal needs,” the press center of the anti-corruption agency writes.

A criminal case has been initiated against Ismoilov T.S. under paragraph “v” of part 3 of article 257 (Embezzlement of funds from foreign aid in especially large amounts), part 1 of article 314 (Abuse of official powers) and article 323 (Service forgery) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan.

He faces imprisonment for a term of two to three years or a large fine with deprivation of the right to hold official positions for more than five years.

Paragraph 1 of article 257 provides for punishment by imprisonment for a term of two to seven years or a fine ranging from three hundred sixty-five to one thousand two hundred seventy-seven calculation indicators. Under the other articles, he faces imprisonment for 3 to 5 years.

The accused or his relatives are unavailable for comment. It is unknown whether he has admitted his guilt.

This is not the first time that a public servant has been detained for embezzlement or fraud. Bribery and corruption thrive among public servants in Tajikistan. The authorities of the country are unable to effectively combat corruption, and all government programs to counter corruption do not yield results.

Moreover, those detained on charges of corruption or embezzlement usually return to their positions or are transferred to another, often higher position.