DUSHANBE, March 19, Asia-Plus - A court in Dushanbe has sentenced Russian national to three-year jail term for smuggling of gemstones.

The court of the Shohmansour district of Dushanbe on March 19 ruled that Russian national, Ms. Olga Kayris, be given three years in jails.  The sentence followed her conviction on charges of smuggling of gems.  

Judge Zebo Abdurahmonova, who took in the trial, said in an interview with Asia-Plus that Kayris was detained in Dushanbe in January 2007.  According to the judge, the Interior Ministry directorate for combating organized crime received information that a certain Russian national is seeking in Dushanbe purchaser for 10 natural rubies totaling 31 karats. 

“Kayris was detained as a result of “checked valuation” of the gemstones,” the judge said, noting that Kayris faced charged under Article 284 of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code – trafficking in precious metals and gemstones.