Traffic police among most corruption-prone units in Tajikistan, survey finds
A nationwide sociological survey has identified the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) as one of the institutions most frequently associated with corruption in Tajikistan, with traffic police officers accounting for the largest share of reported bribery cases within the ministry.
The study, conducted in 2025 by the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption in cooperation with the Center for Strategic Studies, surveyed 10,000 residents across 28 cities and districts of the country.
According to the findings, 19% of respondents who encountered corruption said they had faced it within the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Among Interior Ministry’s divisions, the State Automobile Inspectorate (traffic police) was cited most frequently, accounting for 40,9% of reported corruption cases. It was followed by the passport service with 18,4% and district police inspectors with 9,7%.
In other words, roughly two out of every five respondents who reported corruption within the Interior Ministry said they had encountered it while dealing with traffic police officers.
The survey ranked corruption incidents within the ministry based on respondents’ experiences, although the full breakdown was not published.
Asia-Plus requested comment from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, no response had been received by the time of publication. The editorial team is prepared to publish the ministry’s position if it is provided.
More than 240 million somoni in damages
Concerns about corruption within the State Automobile Inspectorate were also raised earlier this year by the anticorruption agency.
Speaking at a press conference in February, the agency’s director, Sulaimon Sultonzoda, said the traffic police ranked second among government institutions in terms of the volume of corruption-related violations uncovered in 2025. Only the International Airport recorded more cases, he noted.
According to the agency, financial damage exceeding 240 million somonis was identified in just one division of the State Automobile Inspectorate.
«Criminal proceedings have been initiated against employees of the Registration and Examination Department of the State Automobile Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for registering vehicles and issuing license plates to 2,725 vehicles that had not undergone customs clearance,» Deputy Director Firouz Kamolzoda said at the press conference.
He added that criminal cases had been opened against those involved and would be referred to court upon completion of the investigation.
However, it remains unclear whether any of the suspects have been convicted or otherwise punished.
The study, conducted in 2025 by the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption in cooperation with the Center for Strategic Studies, surveyed 10,000 residents across 28 cities and districts of the country.
According to the findings, 19% of respondents who encountered corruption said they had faced it within the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Among Interior Ministry’s divisions, the State Automobile Inspectorate (traffic police) was cited most frequently, accounting for 40,9% of reported corruption cases. It was followed by the passport service with 18,4% and district police inspectors with 9,7%.
In other words, roughly two out of every five respondents who reported corruption within the Interior Ministry said they had encountered it while dealing with traffic police officers.
The survey ranked corruption incidents within the ministry based on respondents’ experiences, although the full breakdown was not published.
Asia-Plus requested comment from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, no response had been received by the time of publication. The editorial team is prepared to publish the ministry’s position if it is provided.
More than 240 million somoni in damages
Concerns about corruption within the State Automobile Inspectorate were also raised earlier this year by the anticorruption agency.
Speaking at a press conference in February, the agency’s director, Sulaimon Sultonzoda, said the traffic police ranked second among government institutions in terms of the volume of corruption-related violations uncovered in 2025. Only the International Airport recorded more cases, he noted.
According to the agency, financial damage exceeding 240 million somonis was identified in just one division of the State Automobile Inspectorate.
«Criminal proceedings have been initiated against employees of the Registration and Examination Department of the State Automobile Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for registering vehicles and issuing license plates to 2,725 vehicles that had not undergone customs clearance,» Deputy Director Firouz Kamolzoda said at the press conference.
He added that criminal cases had been opened against those involved and would be referred to court upon completion of the investigation.
However, it remains unclear whether any of the suspects have been convicted or otherwise punished.
Комментарии (0)