DUSHANBE, January 16, Asia-Plus -- In 2006, 11,223 crimes were reported in Tajikistan, which is 7 percent fewer than during 2005, Tajik chief prosecutor Bobojon Bobokhonov announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on January 15. 

The Tajik chief prosecutor noted that despite decrease in a total number of crimes, a number of grave crimes such as killing increased last year.  In 2006, 228 killings were reported in Tajikistan against 157 killings reported in the country in 2005.  Besides, the number of reported crimes committed with use of firearms increased from 56 in 2005 to 116 in 2006.  

            In the meantime, the number of drug-trafficking crimes reported decreased from 620 cases in 2005 to 581 in 2006, according to the chief prosecutor.  Bobokhonov noted that mainly the Interior Ministry (MoI) and the Drug Control Agency (DCA) investigate such cases.  According to him, the MoI completed investigation of 512 drug-related cases in 2006 and the DCA completed investigation of 52 cases.  “The National Security Committee last year completed investigation of 19 drug-related cases,” Bobokhonov said.  

“The cases investigated by the Prosecutor-General’s Office last year involved mainly officials from administrative bodies and power-wielding structures,” the chief prosecutor noted.  

            Inspections conducted by the Prosecutor-General’s Office last year revealed 280 crimes that had been concealed by law enforcement agencies.