DUSHANBE, January 15, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- A car with a diplomatic number plate hit the 52-year-old resident of Dushanbe Nematjon Berdiyev at the intersection of the Mirzo Tursunzoda and Loiq Sherali streets on December 29.  Nematjon Berdiyev was rushed to the National Medical Center (Qariyai Bolo), where he died from injuries sustained in the accident.

The accident took place in the evening, at about 7:00 pm.

Nematjon Berdiyev’s brother, Akbar Berdiyev, says that according to eyewitnesses, Volswagen Tuareg with number plate 004 D 055 hit his brother.  This number plate belongs to the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe.

Lieutenant-Colonel Aslam Toibov, a senior investigator with the Ministry of Interior, is investigating this accident.  “Investigation is under way and I still cannot comment on the accident and name persons involved in the accident,” Toibov told Asia-Plus in an interview.

Representatives of the U.S. Embassy say they are aware of the accident.  “The Government of Tajikistan has informed us about the investigation launched into the accident.  The U.S. Embassy takes seriously such issues and will collaborate with local law enforcement authorities,” Mr. Wesley Robertson, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe said.