In Tajikistan, 125 employees of the electricity sector were dismissed and held criminally liable in 2025 following inspections that revealed violations in the provision of electricity to the population. This was reported to journalists by Jomi Umarzoda, a representative of the Open Joint-Stock Company (OJSC) Electricity Distribution Networks.
According to Umarzoda, law enforcement agencies initiated criminal proceedings against the individuals involved, after which they were removed from their positions. Some of the cases are still under investigation, and additional information will be released once the process is completed.
Meanwhile, the State Energy Supervision Agency under the President of Tajikistan told Asia-Plus on February 4 that in 2024, 406 employees of energy supply organizations were fined for violations of electricity consumption regulations. The total amount of fines imposed reached 293,000 somoni.
Of those fined, 375 were employees of the Electricity Distribution Networks, 12 worked for the Electricity Transmission Networks, 9 were staff of Barqi Tojik (power generation company), and 10 represented Pamir Energy Company.
The agency specified that the fines were imposed under Articles 394 and 397 of Tajikistan’s Code of Administrative Offenses, which cover violations of energy resource usage rules and improper operation of electrical and thermal equipment.
Earlier, the State Energy Supervision Agency reported that in 2025, employees of the Electricity Distribution Networks unlawfully overstated electricity consumption by nearly 321.5 million kilowatt-hours, causing damage to the state budget estimated at 106.4 million somoni. However, the agency did not specify how many employees were involved or how many were punished.
The agency has repeatedly reported detentions and criminal cases involving electricity sector employees accused of electricity theft. In particular, in January this year, two cases were reported in which employees illegally connected power lines from a substation to a residential building. Both individuals were fined 2,250 somoni.
The intensified crackdown on electricity theft began after penalties for illegal electricity use and non-payment were tightened last year.
Under the Criminal Code of Tajikistan, individuals who violate electricity usage regulations or evade payment face fines ranging from 27,000 to 90,000 somoni or imprisonment for a term of three to ten years. Administrative fines for electricity theft have also been increased.
FI
