QURGHON TEPPA, October 13, 2010, Asia-Plus -- 96 suicide cases have been registered in Khatlon province over the first nine months of this year, Varqa Zayniddinov an aide to the Khatlon prosecutor, said.

According to him, 46 men and 50 women have committed suicide in the area over the report period.  The listed causes of suicide were psychological diseases, economic problems, family problems and so forth, the aide said.   

In the meantime, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported on August 8 that Suhrob Salomov, an Interior Ministry official in Khatlon province, told RFE/RL that 108 cases of suicide and attempted suicide by women have been recorded in the province in 2010.  He said 52 people have died as a result and tens of others have been injured.

Salomov added that at least 50 percent of the known cases of attempted suicide were related to domestic violence and violence against women.

Salomov said that along with cases of domestic violence, other women attempt suicide after quarrels with neighbors or sometimes even after harsh criticism from parents or other relatives.  He added that 29 suicide attempts were related to psychological illness, six cases were related to difficult living conditions, and 52 cases were thought to be related to domestic violence.