KHOROG, January 22, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Mardon Faqirov, an official with the GBAO anticorruption directorate, told reporters in Khorog on January 21 that corruption cost Gorno Badakhshan at 2.7 million somoni last year, which is 434,000 somoni more than in 2009.

According to him, inspections conducted by the anticorruption officers at 131 local enterprises in 2010 revealed 31 corruption-related crimes.  “18 crimes were committed by representatives from local authorities,” Faqirov said.

75 officials and managers were implicated in wrongdoing, and administrative action was imposed upon them; 6 of them were sacked.

“35 cases related to financial damages moved to the law enforcement agencies and 14 criminal proceedings were instituted,” Faqirov said.