A Ministry of Internal Affairs employee has been detained in Tajikistan

Employees of the State Financial Control and Anti-Corruption Agency of Tajikistan reported the detention of an investigator from the Ministry of Internal Affairs on suspicion of bribery.

According to the press center of the Agency, investigator Shukurzo M. from the investigative department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the city of Isfara demanded a bribe of 20,000 somoni from citizen M.M. for “not bringing and terminating part of the materials of a criminal case under his jurisdiction.”

According to the investigation, in exchange for the bribe, the investigator promised to close the case against the briber’s brother due to the absence of signs of a crime in his actions.

As a result of operational-search activities conducted by employees of the State Financial Control and Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Tajikistan in the Sughd region, Shukurzo M. was detained in his car in the city of Isfara after receiving a bribe of 20,000 somoni from the victim.

During the detention, the cash was found and seized.

The anti-corruption agency has initiated a criminal case under part 1 of article 319 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan against Shukurzo M.

The case has already been sent to court for consideration.

This is not the first case in Tajikistan where a law enforcement representative is involved in bribery and corruption. Every year, dozens of law enforcement officers from various agencies, including the Anti-Corruption Agency itself, are detained and sentenced to imprisonment on suspicion of corruption and bribery.

Some experts believe that eradicating corruption and bribery in Tajikistan is practically impossible, as this harmful practice, starting from the highest state officials, has taken deep root in all ministries and agencies of the country.

Recently, some users on social media complained that when visiting a hospital, one must first give a bribe to the guard to be allowed inside. Others note that a system has been created in the country where it is impossible to resolve any issue—whether legal or not—without money.