DUSHANBE, January 12, 2009, Asia-Plus  - One of founders of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan (DPT) Jumaboy Niyozov died in Khujand, Sughd province on January 10 aged 62.

Jumaboy Niyozov was the first deputy head of the Mahmadruzi Iskandarov-run wing of the DPT also head of the party organization for the Sughd province.

Muhiddin Kabiri, the leader of the Islamic Revival Party (IRPT), Rahmatillo Valiyev, the deputy head of the Iskandarov-led wing of the DPT, as well representatives of local authorities attended the funeral ceremony that was held in Khujand yesterday.

According to representatives of the Iskandarov-led DPT, Mr. Niyozov suffered of arterial pressure in recent years.

Jumaboy Niyozov was elected as deputy leader of the DPT at its founding congress that was held in Dushanbe in 1990.  In 1993, Jumaboy Niyozov was sentenced to 1 years and 10 months for alleged illegal possession of firearms.  Mr. Niyozov always maintained his innocence.