DUSHANBE, October 23, Asia-Plus – A decision by the Justice Ministry to recognize new leadership of the Democratic Party (DPT) is not liable to discussion and may be disputed in court only, Justice Minister Khalifabobo Homidov remarked at a news conference in Dushanbe today, refraining from giving further details.
We will recall that earlier, representatives from Mahmadruzi Iskandarov-run DPT made a statement, condemning the justice ministry’s decision and noting the ministry’s decision is in contrary to the country’s laws, as well as a list of political parties having the right to participate in the presidential election of September 6, 2006. “The DPT headed by Mahmadruzi Iskandarov was put on this list, while later, on September 29, the ministry made changes to the list, replacing it by Masoud Sobirov-run faction of the party,” the statement said.
In his comments to this statement, Deputy Justice Minister, Rustam Mengliyev, noted that time that “the DPT leadership has ignored wish of 10 percent of members of party to hold an extraordinary congress of the party to field its candidate in the presidential election.” “Arguments of the Vatan faction’s members have been cogent and the ministry decided to recognize the congress and election of Masoud Sobirov new leader of the party legitimate,” Mengliyev said, adding that the ministry’s decision does not mean stopping of activity of Iskandarov-run DPT. “It is prerogative of judicial bodies, but I believe members of both wings of the party will be able to reach compromise,” Mengliyev said.
