Director of the State Unitary Enterprise Water Supply and Sewerage in the northern city of Istaravshan (municipal water works), Ali Aliyev, is suspected of being involved in corruption.

According to information posted on the official website of the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption under the President of Tajikistan, Aliyev, abusing his official position, demanded a large sum from local resident, engaged in installing water meters and other equipment in Istaravshan.

Aliyev reportedly took 14,000 U.S. dollars from him and demanded that he bring another 50,000 somonis.

According to the anticorruption agency’s official website, Aliyev was caught red-handed while taking 50,000 somonis from the man.  

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against Aliyev under the provisions of Article 247 (4) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code – large-scale fraud.  If convicted, Aliyev could face a jail term of between eight and twelve years.