DUSHANBE, June 5, Asia-Plus -- An extraordinary congress of Tajik Journalists’ Union is scheduled for June 17.

A session of the board of Tajik Journalists’ Union held on May 30 made such a decision.

In accordance with the Union’s charter, the congress will hear reports and elect new officials of the Union.  The holding of the Union’s extraordinary congress is connected with the Dushanbe court ruling to halt the activities of the Tajik Journalists’ Union for three months, according to information fro the Union.

 As it had been reported earlier, a decision on relieving Hayot Davlatov of his post of Chairman of the Tajik Union of Journalists was made on March 23. 

However, Mr. Davlatov says he is still the head of the Union because he had not signed the Union board’s minute for lack of quorum.  At the same time, Mr. Davlatov says he has been seeking substitute over the past five months.  Asked about possible substitute, Hayot Davlatov noted that should be person having money.  “I, in particular, offered candidacy of Manzurkhon Dodokhonov, the head of the state-owned publishing house “Sharqi Ozod,” Mr. Davlatov said.

As it had been reported earlier, a court in Dushanbe in late March this year halted the activities of the Tajik Journalists’ Union for three months. The court argued that the union''s charter violates provisions of Tajik law.  The Justice Ministry said that the Union was informed of the problems in its charter 30 days ago and ignored a request to rectify them. The ministry officials have said that the Union will be dissolved if it fails to resolve the problem in three months.