High-Ranking Uzbek Security Officer Commits Suicide

A high ranking officer of Uzbekistan's National Security Service has committed suicide, the second case in a few months.

Two law enforcement sources in Uzbekistan told RFE/RL on March 15 that the deputy head of the service's technical supply and finance department, Igor Pirojkov, shot himself dead on March 6.

According to the sources, Pirojkov's department has been under investigation for alleged embezzlement.

In December, another officer from the National Security Service shot himself dead, the sources said.

There have been a number of suicides among law enforcement officers in Uzbekistan.

At least five police officers across Uzbekistan committed suicide in the period between April and December last year.