DUSHANBE, June 18, 2013, Asia-Plus — Offices the of initiative group for formation of “New Tajikistan” party have reportedly been sealed.
“The Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption has sealed our offices located in the building of Guliston Tour immediately after detention of the initiative group leader Zayd Saidov,” Mahmoudjon Qosimov, a member of the initiative group, told Asia-Plus in an interview.
“They even did not clarify the reason for sealing the offices, though no accusations have been brought against the party,” said Qosimov. “Therefore, a conclusion can be drawn from these facts that Zayd Saidov’s case is politically motivated and connected with his political intentions.”
We will recall that Zayd Saidov announced in April that he and some other leading businessmen in Tajikistan are founding a political party.
On April 6, a group consisting of several successful businessmen, political scientists and former public servants announced the formation of a new political party—“New Tajikistan”—led by Zayd Saidov, a successful businessman, former minister of industry of Tajikistan and, as of May 13, the former Head of the Coordinating Council of Business and Public Associations of Tajikistan (CCBPAT). According to the, the main goal of the party is achieving economic independence, prosperity and well-being for the population of Tajikistan. Saidov noted that “New Tajikistan” would not be putting forward a candidate for the presidential election in November 2013, but at the same time it was not going to become a “pocket” party. According to him, “New Tajikistan” plans to participate in the parliamentary elections set for 2015.
Zayd Saidov was detained on May 19 on charges of corruption. He has been stripped of his parliamentary immunity. On May 22, a court in Dushanbe’s Firdavsi district issued the arrest warrant for Zayd Saidov. He was ordered held in pretrial detention for up to two months. The court also ruled that Zayd Saidov cannot be released on bail.
The authorities have sequestrated property of Zayd Saidov and his nearest relatives. The anticorruption agency has reportedly sent a letter to notarial service, noting that the property should not be put on sale until investigation complete.
To-date, five cars belonging to Zayd Saidov and his sons as well as their houses have been sequestrated. Working premises and building sites have also been sequestrated but later they have been released.
On June 17, the investigation into the case of Zayd Saidov was classified as “top secret.”
Saidov denies any wrongdoing and says his case is politically motivated.
