DUSHANBE, January 19, Asia-Plus — The trial of Ahmad Rahmonov, alleged supporter of the rebellious Colonel Mahmoud Khudoiberdiyev, began in a regional court in the Sughd province on January 17.
Proceedings started with reading of the indictment, which charges Rahmonov with high treason and participation in coup attempt.
Hotam Nazarov, deputy head of the Sughd regional court, told Asia-Plus that Ahmad Rahmonov, who is resident of Sughd’s Bobojonghafurov district, until recently had stayed in one of neighboring republic and been detained when had arrived in Sughd to see his family.
According to him, Rahmonov participated in a November 1998 coup attempt in the province along with other supporters of the rebellious colonel. “The preliminary investigation has established that Rahmonov was involved in murder of several people and espionage for other state,” the deputy head said.
Colonel Mahmoud Khudoiberdiyev masterminded two coup attempts in the 1990s.
More than 100 people had been killed in less than a week, after a renegade militia commander, Colonel Mahmoud Khudoiberdiyev, seized much of Khujand and the surrounding area in November 1998.
The rebellious colonel, who led an estimated 1,000 armed people into battle during the mutiny, also staged an abortive coup attempt in August 1997.
