Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke about the wave of arrests of officials and representatives of “street gangs” in the country at a meeting of the Republican Council for Spirituality and Education.

The President emphasized that the ongoing operational activities are aimed at combating corruption and crime, regardless of whether those detained are representatives of street groups or officials involved in corruption.

He emphasized that in New Uzbekistan the law must prevail, and punishment for crimes must be inevitable.

President of Uzbekistan also emphasized the importance of keeping the streets and society as a whole peaceful, clean and crime-free.

Since the beginning of December, large-scale raids have been carried out in Uzbekistan against “street gangs” and criminal groups.

More than 100 people were detained, including well-known personalities such as Saidaziz Medgorodok, Bakhti Tashkentsky and Salimbay.

President emphasized that the purpose of these actions is to ensure peace and cleanliness in society, as well as the desire to establish laws and fight crime in the country.

Over the past week, arrests have also been made of high-ranking officials, including the former khokim of Izbaskan district Serobiddin Ismoilov, the previous head of district region Khairillo Juraev and the khokim of Bekabad district Shukhrat Mirzaev. The detention of Deputy Khokim of Namangan Region Saidahmad Sultanov, former Minister of Agriculture Aziz Voitov and other high-ranking personalities was also officially confirmed.