Criminal case has been opened against employees of the Tashkent City Municpal Cleaning Department and other individuals for felling of 174 trees and shrubs on Babur Street in the Yakkasaray District.
First Deputy Mayor Bakhtiyor Rakhmonov, who allegedly ordered the fellings, has not yet been brought to justice. The Tashkent Mayor's Office denied any wrongdoing. The allegations against the Deputy Mayor of Tashkent are unfounded and not supported by any facts, the city administration stated.
The Prosecutor General's Office press service confirmed that a criminal case had been opened under Illegal felling of forests, trees, or other plants, causing significant damage charge punishable by a fine of 100 to 150 basic units (BCU) or from 240 to 300 hours mandatory community service or correctional labor of 1 to 2 years or house arrest of 1 to 3 years or imprisonment of up to 3 years. The agency stated that suspects will be identified during the investigation.
Earlier, 145 perennial junipers were cut down on Babur Street in the dead of night on October 25, causing damages estimated at 620.5 million soums. The Ministry of Ecology later clarified that the total number of trees and shrubs cut down was 174, including 151 living trees, 23 dead trees, and two shrubs, with damages amounting to 1.46 billion soums.
Officials of the mayor’s office allegedly attempted to obstruct the environmentalists' work and exerted pressure on them. However, following a public outcry, the city administration acknowledged their negligence and announced its intention to hold those responsible accountable, submitting the materials to the prosecutor's office.
