QURGHON TEPPA, July 24, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Chairman of the Obimuk jamoat in Khatlon’s Yovon district, Ashour Nazarov, faces bribe-taking charge.

The Khatlon anticorruption directorate chief Fayz Sultonov said in an interview with Asia-Plus that Nazarov was caught red-handed on July 20, when he was taking US$100 from local resident for allotment of land.  “The preliminary investigation has established that it was not the only case when Ashour Nazarov was taking bribes,” Sultonov said.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against Nazarov under the provisions of Article 319, part 4 of Tajikistan’s Penal Code – bribery.

According to Sultonov, 21 corruption-related crimes have been committed by officials at public authorities since the beginning of this year.

The anticorruption directorate chief also noted that improper implementation by local authorities of Point 35 of the Anticorruption Program evoked serious concern.  “Under this point, public commissions for prevention corruption-related crimes should be set up in the cities and districts of the province,” said Sultonov, “However, this issue has not yet been solved in many cities and districts; only Shahritus, Qubodiyon and Vakhsh districts have set up such commissions so far.”