KHUJAND, September 23, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- The Panjakent prosecutor’s office has instituted criminal proceedings against the 33-year-old Otabek Esoyev, imam-khatib of the Kuktoshi Bolo Mosque, who is suspected of unauthorized use of electricity, according the Sughd police directorate.

Investigation has established that Esoyev used electric power for the mosque without electricity meter and damage caused to local electricity network has been estimated at 2,166 somoni, the somoni, the source said.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against the imam-khatib under the provisions of Article 253 (1) of Tajikistan’s - inflicting damage on property by fraud or abuse of trust.