A former government minister in Uzbekistan, Aziz Voitov, has been arrested on embezzlement charges, suggesting internal conflicts within the country’s political elite. Voitov, previously the Agriculture Minister until October 2022, is accused of large-scale embezzlement and abuse of power, potentially facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The Supreme Court’s statement did not provide details about the alleged offenses.
Voitov’s removal from his post followed the dismissal of his one-time superior, Sardor Umurzakov, as head of the presidential administration. Both had worked at the Foreign Trade Ministry, with Voitov serving as Umurzakov’s first deputy. Speculation about internal divisions within the power structure arose following Umurzakov’s firing, and the rise of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s daughter, Saida, within the administration.
Voitov is among several individuals linked to Umurzakov who have faced consequences, either being fired or demoted. The arrest of the head of the Tashkent region’s Bekobod district, Shukhrat Mirzayev, on embezzlement charges adds to the indications of a potential purge.
President Mirziyoyev frames these developments as part of a broader anti-corruption effort. At the unveiling of an anti-corruption monument in Tashkent on December 19, he emphasized Uzbekistan’s commitment to an uncompromising fight against corruption. Despite these efforts, the Corruption Perceptions Index for 2022 by Transparency International assigned Uzbekistan a score of 31, indicating significant corruption.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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