DUSHANBE, May 20, 2013, Asia-Plus – Known Tajik businessman and former minister of industry, Zayd Saidov, who recently declared the formation of a new political party – Tojikistoni Nav (New Tajikistan) – was detained overnight, May 18-19, at the Dushanbe airport upon return from a trip abroad.
He was arrested by agents of the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption. On May 19, the anticorruption agency released a statement regarding the detention of Zayd Saidov.
The statement, in particular, notes that Zayd Saidov is suspected of having committed grave economic crimes during the time when he was minister of industry. Zayd Saidov reportedly faces charges under the provisions of three articles of Tajikistan’s Penal Code: Article 319 (4) – large-scale bribe-taking; Article 247 (4) – fraud committed through the misuse of powers; and Article 314 – abuse of office.
According to the statement, these facts were revealed during the preliminary investigation into case of Tajik tycoon Nizomkhon Jourayev (the so-called “Isafrans’ Case”).
Zayd Saidov’s lawyers say they have not yet been allowed to meet with their clients.
It is to be noted that Zayd Saidov, who is member of the Dushanbe local council (Majlis), enjoys the parliamentary privilege.
We will recall that on May 11, the Dushanbe prosecutor’s office instituted criminal proceedings against Zayd Saidov under the provisions of Article 170 of Tajikistan’s Penal Code – polygamy. Prosecutors searched Saidov’s home and questioned his sons over polygamy allegations.
According to the press center of the Dushanbe prosecutor’s office, criminal proceedings have been instituted against Zayd Saidov following operational information received from relevant bodies. Zayd Saidov allegedly has four wives at the same time.
Meanwhile the overwhelming majority of local experts consider that the allegations are part of growing pressure against Zayd Saidov by authorities since he announced his political intentions.
The formation of a new political party – Tojikistoni Nav (New Tajikistan) – was declared in Dushanbe on April 6.
Initiated by Zayd Saidov, Shavkat Bozorov, the of the National Association of Managers and Marketing Specialists of Tajikistan, Abdughani Mamadazimov, the head of the Association of Political Scientists of Tajikistan, as well as heads of a number of business associations, the new political party reportedly aims to promote the achievement of economic independence of Tajikistan.
According to its initiators, the Party of New Tajikistan “is a platform for union of ideas, views, personalities and opportunities for national creation.” The Party of New Tajikistan is reportedly the party of pragmatists, innovators, technocrats and professionals.
Zayd Saidov, 55, graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Tajik National University in 1983. In 1993-1999, he was director-general of the Moscow-based Joint-Stock Company (JSC) Khalif. From 1999 to 2006, Zayd Saidov served as Minister of Industry of Tajikistan. From 2007 up to now, Zayd Saidov is Chairman of the Association of Entrepreneurs and Producers of Tajikistan. He is also head of the Table Tennis Federation of Tajikistan.
