QURGHON TEPPA, October 12, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Bobokhon Sharbatov, head of the Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA)’s office in Khatlon province, has been detained and charged with fraud giving the bribe.

According to the Khatlon law enforcement authorities, Sharbatov was detained while he was attempting to give bribe to an officer from the State Committee for National Security (SCNS)’s office in Khatlon province.

“Security officers revealed a number of serious shortcomings while inspecting the CRA’s office and Sharbatov attempted to give the bribe in order to avoid criminal liability,” the source said.

According to the preliminary data, criminal proceedings have been instituted against Bobokhon Sharbatov under the provisions of two articles of Tajikistan’s Penal Code: Article 247 – fraud; and Article 320 – bribing.

The source added that Sharbatov had also solicited bribes for including Hajj pilgrims on the list.

Sharbatov’s defense lawyer Ghulom Boboyev says an official charge was brought against his client on October 6 and the preliminary investigation is under way.

According to him, the case will be sent for consideration to the Khalton regional prosecutor’s office in the near future.

Saudi officials allocated Tajikistan 5,500 places for this year''s hajj, which ends with Eid al-Adha on November 6.  That quota includes 1,673 pilgrims from Khatlon province; in the meantime, the number of Khatlon residents wanting to perform the Hajj is ten times more.