these are persons authorized to perform state functions, i.e., individuals who, on a permanent, temporary, or specially authorized basis, hold state positions in government bodies or public service in accordance with the regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Tajikistan, officials of local self-government bodies of towns and villages, as well as persons equated to them (individuals registered as candidates for elected state positions or members of elected state bodies in accordance with the regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Tajikistan, officials of state economic entities, economic entities with at least 50% state ownership, officials of non-profit organizations, officials of foreign states, international organizations, and their representations interacting with state bodies, officials, individuals, and legal entities of the Republic of Tajikistan), persons providing public services, individuals, and legal entities (Article 1 of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Combating Corruption").