DUSHANBE, February 4, 2014, Asia-Plus – Investigation into five criminal cases instituted against Tajik tycoon Zayd Saidov and “his partners in crime” is under way, Fattoh Saidov, Director of the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption, told journalists in Dushanbe on February 4.
“Two of those criminal cases have been instituted under the provisions of Article 245 (4) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code – misappropriation and embezzlement, and two others have been instituted under the provisions of Article 340 – document forgery,” the anticorruption agency chief noted.
Asked about what property of Zayd Saidov was confiscated, Fattoh Saidov said, “To-date, only Tojikatlas enterprise, which belonged to Zayd Saidov, has been confiscated.”
“Besides, cafeteria and boutique that are located inside the building of the Ministry of Industry have also been confiscated,” said the anticorruption agency chief. “Although the cafeteria and boutiques have been registered as properties of Zayd Saidov’s wife and son, they have been confiscated because they are located inside the building of the public institution.”
The remaining property of Zayd Saidov and his immediate relatives is still under arrest. “If it is proved that Saidov’s relatives are just fictitious owners of this property, it will be confiscated as well,” Saidov added.
The Supreme Court of Tajikistan considered the criminal proceedings instituted against Zayd Saidov from September 12 to December 25, 2013 and Zayd Saidov was found guilty under Articles 319 (4) – large-scale bribe taking, 247 (4) – large-scale fraud, 170 – polygamy, 138 – rape of minor under 14 years of age, and 131 – illegal deprivation of liberty for sexual exploitation.
The Supreme Court sentenced Zayd Saidov to 26 years in prison and confiscation of property on December 25. The court also imposed an 80,000-smoni fine and stripped Zayd Saidov of all previous state honors and awards. Zayd Saidov is also barred from doing business for five years after release.
