DUSHANBE, November 18, 2011, Asia-Plus — The trial of former head of the branch of Orienbonk in Muminobod district, Safarmad Rustamov, started in the Supreme Court on November 16.
The source in the Supreme Court says proceedings started with the reading of the indictment, which charges Rustamov with criminal effort, attempted murder and illegal possession of weapon.
According to some data, Rustamov is accused of organizing an attempt on lives of one of the former Popular Front field commanders and his supporters.
We will recall that Safarmad Rustamov, also known as aka “Kaboud” (Blue) on account of his blue eyes, was detained by Kulob police on July 7 and taken to Dushanbe.
A source in the Kulob police told RFE/RL”s Tajik Service on July 7 on condition of anonymity that Safarmad Rustamov was accused of several crimes, including organizing an illegal group.
Some sources made a suggestion that Rustamov”s detention might be connected with the riots that broke out in Kulob in June after angry fans of the local soccer team, Ravshan Kulob, accused referees of favoring the Istiqlol team.
But Ravshan deputy manager Akram Huseynov said that Rustamov never provided any financial support to the club and Kulob deputy prosecutor Ozar Isoyev also rejected the speculation about Safarmad Rustamov”s possible involvement in the rioting by Ravshan fans. He said 16 people were suspected of participating in the riots, but Rustamov is not one of them.
In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, Tajik Prosecutor-General Sherkhon Salimzoda noted in July that Safarmad Rustamov was arrested on suspicion of hooliganism. “At first, he was charged with attempted murder but later, this charge was dropped and he is now charged with hooliganism,” Salimzoda said.
To all appearance the charge of attempted murder was brought against Rustamov again during investigation, while the hooliganism charge was dismissed.
