Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A lawyer has been arrested in the Tashkent region on suspicion of fraud, according to a statement by the State Security Service press office.

Authorities report that the lawyer demanded US$30,000 from the wife of a convicted individual, claiming he could secure her husband’s release through his alleged influential connections.

The suspect was apprehended by law enforcement officers at the moment he received an advance payment of US$20,000.

An investigation revealed that the lawyer had previously faced criminal charges related to illegal drug trafficking.

A criminal case has been opened against him under paragraph “a” of part 4 of Article 168 (large-scale fraud) and paragraph “a” of part 3 of Articles 28 and 211 (attempted bribery) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

He has been taken into custody, and an investigation is underway.