DUSHANBE, December 17, 2013, Asia-Plus – Prominent representatives of Tajik intelligentsia have applied to President Emomali Rahmon, asking him to interfere in Zayd Saidov’s case in order to ensure a fair sentence for the disgraced Tajik businessman.
A letter that was released on December 17 was signed by Tajik poet Mumin Qanoat, Tajik poetess Gulrukhsor Safiyeva, as well as well-known Tajik scientists such as academician Mouso Dinorshoyev and academician Mamadsho Ilolov.
They, in particular, note that Zayd Saidov played an important role in reestablishment of peace and national accord in the country, invested in socioeconomic development of Tajikistan, provided assistance to flood-affected people in Kulob, and supported cultural figures, researchers and athletes.
In their opinion, an initiative to establish the New Tajikistan party is also continuation of Saidov’s efforts to support president’s policy.
We will recall that known Tajik businessman Zayd Saidov went on trial in Dushanbe on September 12. The trail is being held in the pretrial detention facility of the State Committee for national Security (SCNS) behind closed doors.
Zayd Saidov, who is the leader of Tajikistan”s unregistered New Tajikistan party, was arrested on May 19 and charged with bribe-taking (Article 319 of Tajikistan’s Penal Code), abuse of office (Article 314), financial fraud (Article 247), extortion (Article 250), polygamy (Article 170), rape (Article 138) and sexual relations with a minor (Article 125).
A prosecutor in the trial of Zayd Saidov reportedly asked the court on December 5 to sentence Zayd Saidov to a 28-year prison term. He also asked the court to bar Zayd Saidov from doing business during eight years after release.
Zayd Saidov, however, maintains innocence. According to Saidov’s defense lawyer, in his last plea, he asked the court on December 11 “to give an unbiased assessment to what is going on.”
