DUSHANBE, June 11, Asia-Plus — Fathullo Khairiddin, former officer of the ministry of interior (MoI) also former field commander of the United Tajik Opposition (UTO), known as Eshoni Daroz, was arrested last week on suspicion of having been involved in drug trafficking.
Abdul Roziqov, the deputy chief of the MoI department for combating drug trafficking (drug police), told Asia-Plus that some six kilograms of raw opium had been found in his car. Another person, Said Shokirov, was also detained together with him, Roziqov said. “Shokirov has pleaded guilty,” the drug police deputy chief said.
According to Roziqov, Fathullo Khairiddin was member of the UTO armed formation headed by Rizvon Sodirov. After signing of the Tajik Agreement on Peace and National Reconciliation in 1997, the armed group of Fathullo Khairiddin was integrated in the government forces.
From 2004 to 2006, Fathullo Khairiddin served as commander of the rapid reaction group of the MoI directorate for combating organized crime in districts subordinate for the center (RRPs). About a year ago, he left the service in the MoI, according to Roziqov.
