KHUJAND, June 3, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The chief of the branch of the Interior Ministry migration service for Sughd province Shuhrat Ahmadov told Asia-Plus today that the bodies of 65 residents of the province, including 63 men aged 19 to 58, have been returned to Sughd from Russia since the beginning of this year.

According to official data, four of them were killed, 18 died in various accidents, one died in traffic accident, 30 perished as a result of illness, seven committed suicide and the cause of death was unknown in five cases.

Ahmadov added that the bodies of 69 residents of Sughd, including seven women, had been returned to the province from Russia over the same period of last year.  In 2007, the bodies of 52 residents of northern Tajikistan were returned from Russia.