DUSHANBE, November 13, 2008, Asia-Plus -- The former field commander of the pro-government Popular Front also ex-head of Tajikistan’s Football Federation Khuja Karimov, also known as “Khuja the Commander,” has been put on the international wanted list.

According to the Interpol National Central Bureau in Tajikistan, they applied to member nations of Interpol several days ago for assistance with search for and extradition of Khuja Karimov, who is suspected of having committed a number of crimes in the territory of Tajikistan during the civil war (1992-1997).  He is charged with killing, racketeering, robbery and other crimes. 

According to data of the Interpol National Central Bureau in Tajikistan, Karimov could be now in Malaysia.   

It is to be noted that Khuja Karimov is on Interpol’s list under the name of Rahim Karimov.  According to information about Khuja Karimov posted on Interpol’s website, the warrant for arrest of Karimov was issued by Khatlon, Tajikistan and categories of offenses he faces include crimes against life and health, kidnapping, organized crime/transnational crime.  Interpol issued red notice for Khuja Karimov.

Based on requests from National Central Bureaus (NCBs), the General Secretariat produces seven types of notices.  The red notice is produced to seek the arrest or provisional arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition.

We will recall that Khuja Karimov was one of influential field commanders of the pro-government Popular Front.  In 1992-1992, he served as the first deputy commander of the Special Brigade of the Ministry of Defense.  In the late 1990s, he was president of Tajikistan’s Football Federation and deputy of parliament.  In November 1998, he was arrested on charge of organizing killing of MPs S. Shoyev and T, Shukurov and taken to police custody, but later, he was released.