DUSHANBE, May 21, 2013, Asia-Plus — Upon recommendation of the Prosecutor-General’s Office, members of the Dushanbe local council (Majlis) have adopted the decision regarding the repeal of parliamentary immunity of Zayd Saidov.
An extraordinary session of the Dushanbe legislature took place yesterday and its members adopted the decision regarding the repeal of inviolability of Zayd Saidov, upon recommendation of the Prosecutor-General’ Office.
Members of the Dushanbe local council reportedly voted unanimously for the repeal of inviolability of Zayd Saidov.
We will recall that Zayd Saidov was detained overnight, May 18-19, at the Dushanbe airport upon return from a trip abroad.
The statement, released by the anticorruption agency, 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”).
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.
Local experts, however, consider that the allegations are part of growing pressure against Zayd Saidov by authorities since he announced his political intentions.
