KHUJAND, October 14, 2008, Asia-Plus — The trial of the former deputy Khujand mayor and six other municipal officials, including five officials from the land and architecture departments as well as the Khujand chief architect, began in the Khujand city court on October 14.
Proceedings started with the reading of the indictment, which charges them with abuse of authorities.
Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, chairperson of the Khujand city court, Ms. Shahodat Kholiqova, said that the defendant had held their positions in the mayor’s officer at various times since 1999. “They had been involved in illegal allotment of lands for housing,” said Kholiqova said.
She noted that criminal proceedings instituted against the ex-mayor of Khujand, Olimjon Jalolov, had been dropped.
According to the present Khujand administration, 173 land allotment decisions made by the previous municipal administration have been found illegal.
