13 employees of Andijan State University were sentenced to imprisonment in a criminal case on the theft of public funds on an especially large scale.

The sentence was handed down by the Balykchi District Criminal Court of Andijan Region on June 13. The trial was chaired by U. Sheraliev

The court found that 13 university officials organized into a criminal group, in which they dvided responsibilities. The group was led by Alimjon Makhmudov, who had worked as the university's chief accountant since 1998. The group also included rector Akrom Yuldashev, accountants, chief auditor, teacher and others.

According to the case materials, Alimjon Makhmudov developed a criminal plan to embezzle budget funds provided to the university.

The court ruled that the organized group appropriated budget funds as follows:

• 32.094 billion soums in 8 cases in 2019-2023 — by artificially inflating the number of students receiving scholarships and forging signatures on documents on the alleged issuance of money in cash;
• 2.697 billion soums in 2021-2023 — by artificially inflating the number of students receiving incentives and forging signatures, fictitious payment documents were re-issued, and the allocated money was transferred to a contract account;
• 14.408 billion soums in 2019-2023 — by entering data on payment for contracts for this amount in cash into the UzASBO system (accounting in budgetary organizations), while the money was embezzled;
• 2.663 billion soums for the same years — by concealing money received from students for dormitory rent;
• 545 million soums — funds related to public procurement.

Alimjon Makhmudov legalized the proceeds of crime by buying 7 cars (1 BMW X7, 3 Onix, 2 Cobalt, 1 Lacetti) for close relatives, including sons. Among them is a BMW X7 worth 2.064 billion soums, purchased to his son in 2023. In October 2023, he also transferred 6.621 billion soums to a bank account of his son's friend, who opened a deposit for this amount.

The court document also states that the chief accountant and the rector appropriated bonuses and incentives for employees by falsifying documents.

At the trial, Alimjon Makhmudov partially pleaded guilty.

Prison terms:

• Almost all of the defendants, except one, were sentenced to imprisonment.
• Alimjon Makhmudov, chief accountant, was sentenced to 6.5 years of imprisonment and a fine of 310 basic calculation units.
• Akrom Yuldashev, rector, was sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment and a fine of 310 basic calculation units.
• Teacher Azam Khamrokulov was sentenced to 3 years of correctional labor and a fine of 300 basic calculation units.

Iskandar Israilov, Isroil Mekhmonov and Abdurakhim Ganizhanov (all accountants) were sentenced to 6.5 years in prison, Dilshod Abdimuminov (chief auditor), Lutfullo Soliev (head of the financial planning department), Shukhrat Mamazhanov, Khamidullo Sharipov (treasurers), Khikmatillo Karimov and Ubaydullo Mamirov (accountants) - to 6 years and 2 months, Nodir Ruziboev (head of the university administration) - to 5 years and 2 months in prison. They are also deprived of the right to hold official and financially responsible positions in government agencies and organizations for a period of 2 years.

To compensate for the damage worth of 53.698 billion soums caused to Andijan State Security Service, the following were transferred to the deposit account of the Andijan Province State Security Service:

• Alimjon Makhmudov - 31.078 billion soums;
• Iskandar Israilov - 5.175 billion soums;
• Akrom Yuldashev - 1.168 billion soums;
• Nodir Ruziboyev - 500 million soums;
• Dilshod Abdimuminov - 442 million soums;
• Lutfullo Soliev - 145 million soums;
• Shukhrat Mamajonov - 120 million soums.

In addition, the court ordered the sale of 7 seized cars, one hotel, 3 houses and gold jewelry, with the proceeds to be used to compensate for the damage.