DUSHANBE, May 13, 2013, Asia-Plus – Tajik lawyer Shuhrat Qudratov says the polygamy charge has been brought against a former minister of industry illegally.
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.
Polygamy is illegal in Tajikistan and the law does not provide for any form of legally recognized polygamous marriage or union.
The Tajik Penal Code criminalizes polygamy. Article 170 stipulates that “bigamy or polygamy is punishable by a fine equivalent to 1,000 to 2,000 monthly minimum wages or by up to five years in jail or by two years in correctional labor.”
“The main reason for institution of legal proceedings under the provisions of Article 170 (bigamy or polygamy) is an application lodged to the law enforcement agency by one of wives,” said Shuhrat Qudratov. “As far as I know, no such an application has been lodged against Zayd Saidov.”
Prosecutors searched Saidov’s home and questioned his sons over polygamy allegations. “I don’t understand on what grounds the law enforcement officers searched Saidov’s home,” said the lawyer. “A search is conducted for the purpose finding crime evidences or things trafficking in which is banned by the law – narcotics, weapons. Therefore, in this case, investigators exceeded their powers.”
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 Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption says criminal proceedings have been instituted against top managers of Toj Sokhtmon Bainalmillal (Toj Sokhtmon International), which was established by Zayd Saidov. They reportedly face the charge of a large-scale embezzlement of public funds.
Toj Sokhtmon Bainalmillal reportedly forged documents and embezzled 2 million somoni (equivalent to some 400,000 USD) while constructing Dushanbe’s tallest tower, the 20-storey Dushanbe Plaza.
We will recall that Zayd Saidov and several Tajik businessmen and academics announced on April 6 that they are establishing a new political party that will unite economists, businesspeople and technocrats – Tojikistoni Nav (New Tajikistan).
