Budget decisions issued under arrested mayor’s name raise concerns in Jizzakh

According to the official government platform e-qaror.gov.uz, two of the decisions were issued on the very day Kholbotaev was arrested, July 8, while three more were signed the following day, July 9. All five are decisions of the district council of people’s deputies.

For instance, one resolution dated July 8 (No. VII-10-94-3-46-K/25) approved the allocation of UZS 42 million to the district’s Landscaping Department to organize events marking the Day of Remembrance and Honor on May 9 and to decorate the district’s main street with flags. An additional UZS 70 million was allocated for purchasing roofing materials to repair the deteriorated roofs of multi-story residential buildings. The funds were to come from proceeds of sold public assets transferred to the district’s special treasury account.

Another decision (No. VII-10-95-3-46-K/25), also dated July 8, allocated UZS 150 million to strengthen the material and technical base of the district administration. The funds were intended to cover outstanding debts from past purchases, repair office equipment, and procure supplies.

Three more resolutions were signed on July 9:

• No. VII-10-96-3-46-K/25 allocated UZS 100 million to improve infrastructure for family and women’s affairs departments in the district.
• No. VII-10-97-3-46-K/25 authorized UZS 200 million to construct a mini football pitch with artificial turf in the Tochchilik neighborhood and UZS 400 million to carry out maintenance on a cultural center building in the Qulpisar neighborhood.
• No. VII-10-98-3-46-K/25 repeated the earlier allocation of UZS 255 million for administrative supply needs and debt coverage.

The Jizzakh regional prosecutor’s office has confirmed that a preliminary inquiry is underway regarding these documents. The investigation is being conducted by the district prosecutor’s office, while the legality of the decisions will be reviewed under the supervision of the regional prosecutor’s office.

As previously reported, Mahmud Kholbutayev was arrested on July 8 while allegedly accepting a $10,000 bribe. A criminal case has been opened in connection with the incident.