Former head of Tajik Air, Khairullo Rahimov, faces charges abuse of power, embezzlement and forgery. Criminal proceedings have been instituted not only against him but also against other top managers of the national air carrier, an official source at the Prosecutor-General’s Office told Asia-Plus in an interview.
“He is accused of abuse of power, embezzlement and forgery,” the source said, noting that criminal proceedings have been instituted not only against Rahimov but also against other top managers of Tajik Air.
Tajik chief prosecutor Yusuf Rahmon told reporters in Dushanbe in late January that the Prosecutor-General’s Office has begun inspecting financial and economic activities of Tajik Air.
President Emomali Rahmon ordered to inspect activities of the national air carrier in December last year, noting that Tajik Air probably acquired Boeing 767-332 at a higher price.
On January 21, Emomali Rahmon actually expelled the former head of the airline from the room during a government meeting. A day later, Dilshod Ismatullozoda, who had previously served as deputy head of President’s Executive Office, was named as a replacement director-general of Tajik Air.
Recall, Tajik national air carrier has actually suspended it operations stopping flights practically on all air routes. Experts say it cannot be ruled out that the company will be declared bankrupt with further handover to private hands.
A state commission was set up to investigate the current condition of the airline. The commission is presided over by Prime Minister Qohir Rasoulzoda.
The national airline has experienced great financial difficulties since the end of the zero years. Specialists of the airline say that in such conditions the carrier turned out to be due to high prices for jet fuel and the unstable economic situation.
On September 25, 2018, the government issued the resolution approving the Special Program of State Support for Tajik Air Open Joint-Stock Company for 2018-2023 that was developed by the Supervisory Board.
Attached to the program is an Action Plan, which consists of 11 items. One of the main points of the Action Plan is to instruct the State Committee on Investments and State-owned Property Management, the Civil Aviation Agency and the airline itself to draw up and submit proposals on attracting investments through the privatization of the Tajik Air stake. It means that the government that owns all 100% of Tajik Air shares is ready to transfer the shares of the national air carrier to private hands.
