DUSHANBE, March 9, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Resident of Khatlon’s Shahritous district, Rustam Abdushukurov, 44, has been arrested on suspicion of extortion, according to the Ministry of Interior (MoI).

The source at MoI says Rustam Abdushukurov, who works as controller with the Shahritous power distribution network, on March 6 came to house of one of residents of the village of Pahktaobod and introducing himself as law enforcement officer demanded US$500 from him, threatening to accuse him of participation in illegal armed group of Mahmoud Khudoiberdiyev.

“The man did not have US$500 and he gave 200 somoni and one sheep to Abdushukurov,” the source said.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against Rustam Abdushukurov and an investigation is under way.

We will recall that Colonel Mahmoud Khudoiberdiyev made two failed coup attempts in 1997 and 1998.  After the failed coup attempt made in August 1997, Khudoiberdiyev and his supporters retreated via Shahritous and Beshkent into southern Uzbekistan.  According to some sources, after leaving Tajikistan, the mutinous colonel and his militant followers moved through Uzbekistan into Afghanistan in November 1997.  Khudoiberdiyev reportedly returned to Uzbekistan in June 1998.  On November 4, 1998, Khdoiberdiyev’s armed group invaded Sughd province from Uzbekistan.  A few days later the government regained control of the province.  Some 100 people were reportedly killed in the Sughd clashes.  Tajik Prosecutor-General’s Office instituted criminal proceedings against Khudoiberdiyev under the provisions of two articles of Tajikistan’s Penal Code (high treason and coup attempt) and has repeatedly requested Uzbek authorities to extradite Khudoiberdiyev to Tajikistan.