KHUJAND, October 17, 2009, Asia-Plus -- A court case pitting Numon Hasanov, former head of the railway station “Khujand,” against the Sughd transportation prosecutor Zokir Nazarov began in the Khujand city court on October 16.

Numon Hasanov, who is currently head of the public association Sughd Navovar, is asking for 100,000 somoni in damages after Tajik Railways sacked him from his post of the head of the Khujand railway station following criminal proceedings instituted against him by the Sughd transportation prosecutor Nazarov.

According to Hasanov, the Sughd transportation prosecutor instituted criminal proceedings against him in September 2007 and brought the case before a court in the Bobojonghafurov district.  Following this, Tajik Railways issued an order on sacking Numon Hasanov.

“I consider that I was relieved of my post illegally and I have not been able to familiarize myself with the transportation prosecutor’s ruling for a long time that is in contrary with the country’s Constitution,” Hasanov said.

Commenting on the situation, the Sughd transportation prosecutor Zokir Nazarov said that he had acted within the framework of the law.  “However, as any citizen of Tajikistan Hasanov has the right to apply to court,” said Nazarov, “He also may apply to the Prosecutor-General’s Office.”