KHUJAND, March 4, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The 68-year-old resident of the city of Istaravshan in the Sughd province has attempted to sell his 9-year-old son for 3,000 US dollars, according to the Sughd police directorate.

The source at the Sughd police directorate said that the Istaravshan resident and the 33-year-old resident of Sughd’s Bobojoghafruov district had been arrested during the dealing.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against the under the provisions of Article 130, Part 1, of Tajikistan’s Penal Code – trafficking in persons.  Investigation is under way.