DUSHANBE, July 8, 2001, Asia-Plus – Head of the branch of Orienbonk in Muminobod district, Safarmad Rustamov, has been arrested, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reports.

The source at the Kulob law enforcement authorities told RFE/RL that Rustamov had been detained by security service officers and charge of organization of illegal group had been brought against him.  

Rustamov’s relatives say they do not know his whereabouts.  His brother, Nourullo Rustamov, says several law enforcement officers arrested Safarmad Rustamov on July 1 and took him to Dushanbe.  

Some local experts attribute detention of Safarmad Rustamov to soccer fans riot that took place in Kulob last month.  It is rumored that Safarmad Rustamov allegedly financed fans of the soccer team “Ravshan” from Kulob.

In the meantime, deputy chairman of “Ravshan,” Akram Huseinov, denied the rumors that Safarmad Rustamov was sponsor of the “Ravshan” fans as baseless.  He said that Safarmad Rustamov had nothing to do with “Ravshan.”  “I have not heard that any of “Ravshan” fans said that Rustamov sponsors them,” Huseinov noted.

Safarmad Rustamov, nicknamed as “Kabud,” has headed Orienbonk’s branch in Muminobod for several years and his is considered to be one of close friends of the Orienbonk head Hasan Asadullozoda in the Kulob region.