Aminjon Abdullozoda, the head of the Sughd Reclamation and Irrigation Department, has been fined nearly 137,000 somonis and banned from holding any managerial positions for two years after being convicted of embezzling nearly 4.4 million somonis from state funds. The head of the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption, Sulaymon Sultonzoda, told reporters in Dushanbe that the decision was made by a court in Khujand.
Abdullozoda, along with his department colleague Rustam Barotov, his relative Dilshod Rahmatulloyev, and several private company directors, was accused of embezzling the funds allocated for the repair of water pumping stations in several districts of the province. The stolen amount was earmarked for projects in Zafarobod, Asht, Spitamen, and Mastchoh districts for the years 2023-2024.
The defendants were charged under two articles of Tajikistan’s Penal Code: Article 245 (4) — embezzlement or misappropriation; and Article 340 (2) — forgery, manufacture or sale of fake documents, state awards, stamps, seals, and forms.
Court verdict and penalties
The court sentenced Abdullozoda and the heads of the involved companies—Sohibov and Rahmatov—to a fine of 1900 calculation indicators (estimates), which is equivalent to 136,800 somonis, and prohibited them from holding managerial positions for two years.
The directors of other companies, Hakimov and Rahimov, were fined 2,000 estimates (approximately 144,000 somonis) and banned from holding executive roles for three years.
Meanwhile, Rustam Barotov received a prison sentence of 10 years and six months due to his involvement in a repeat offense.
Sulaymon Sultonzoda confirmed that Abdullozoda would no longer hold his position.
Appeal process underway
Deputy Head of the Sanitation and Irrigation Directorate of Sughd, Halimjon Hojiyev, stated at a news conference in Khujand that Abdullozoda is currently free and pursuing his career.
Chairman of the Khujand City Court, Dilovar Mirzohomidzoda, confirmed on August 7 that the convicted individuals had appealed the court's decision, and the case is under review in the appellate court of Sughd.
The defendants’ positions on the court’s verdict, including that of Abdullozoda, remain unknown.
Investigation and recovery of funds
The anticorruption agency first revealed the case against Abdullozoda in late July. At that time, it was reported that the entire embezzled amount had been fully reimbursed to the state budget.
