QURGHON TEPPA, November 2, 2012, Asia-Plus -- The trial of five border guards began in the military court of the Khatlon garrison in Qurghon Teppa, the capital of Khatlon province on November 1.

Proceedings started with reading of the indictment, which charges them with drug trafficking, weapon embezzlement, service forgery, etc.

According to Justice Ismoilbek Mirmakhsoumov, who is presiding over the trial, Major Mirzomuddin Yoqubov, an officer from border unit # 2610 deployed in Khatlon province, is charged with drug trafficking, illegal border crossing, smuggling, illegally acquiring firearms, loss of military property and exceeding authority.

Four other border guards are in trial together with Captain Yoqubov, the judge said.

“Major Anvarjon Hakimov, chief of the transport service at border unit # 2610, is charged with service forgery, not reporting a crime and exceeding authority.  Senior Lieutenant Alisher Sufiyev, chief of artillery at border unit 2610, faces similar charges,” said the judge.  “Captain Zuhursho Mirzoyev from the same border unit faces charges of illegally acquiring weapons, not reporting a crime and exceeding authority and private soldier Jonibek Nourali is charged with drug trafficking.”

We will recall that Captain Mirzomuddin Yoqubov was detained with 20 kilograms of hashish on May 17 this year and the preliminary investigation has established the accomplices to the crime.