The press center for the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption under the President of Tajikistan says warehouse manager of Open Joint-Stock Company (OJSC) Power Distribution Network’s branch in the northern city of Istaravashan, B. Homidov, has embezzled budgetary funds.

While working as a warehouse manager, Homidov, abusing his official position, has embezzled 1,265,163 somonis of budgetary funds, according to the anticorruption press center.

He has reportedly llegally appropriated goods and electrical equipment entrusted to him for an amount of 1,265,163 somonis.

Criminal proceedings against Homidov have been instituted under the provisions of Article 245 (4) -- misappropriation or embezzlement on an especially large scale; an investigation is under way.

This article stipulates that misappropriation or embezzlement on an especially large scale is punishable by a fine in the amount of 1824 to 2700 calculating indicators (estimates).  Current calculating indicator is equal to 72.00 somonis, or an imprisonment for a term of 10 to 15 years.   

Recall, the anticorruption agency has reported recently that three top managers of the Panjaknet power grid were arrested misappropriation of more than 2.1 million somonis worth of the grid’s property.” says the anticorruption agency press center.  

“On preliminary arrangement, by falsifying accounting documents they last year misappropriated electrical equipment and expensive devices in a total amount of 2,136,613.31 somonis,” the anticorruption agency press center says.  

Although the damage has already been fully compensated, the preliminary investigation into the case continues, the anticorruption agency added.  

Criminal proceedings against them have been instituted under the provisions of two articles of Tajikistan’s Penal Code: Article 245 (4) -- misappropriation or embezzlement on an especially large scale; and Article 323 – forgery in office.  

In 2023, the anticorruption agency officers reportedly revealed 2,212 corruption-related crimes.