DUSHANBE, August 23, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Shuhrat Jalolov, 36, and his wife were found killed in their house in the northern city of Istaravshan.

Shuhrat Jalolov had worked with one of the currency exchange offices in Istaravshan and according to the Istaravshan police directorate, unknown persons penetrated into their house on the night of August 22-23 and stabbed them to death.  The criminals reportedly seized 28,000 somoni.

Resident of the village of Taghoyak in Spitamen district, Ikrom Jourayev, 43, was arrested on August 22 on suspicion of having killed a five-year-old boy.  The source says Jourayev, who suspected the boy of stealing his money, stabbed him to death.

According to the statistical data from the Sughd police directorate, 22 killings have been reported in the province over the first seven months of this year, which is five cases fewer than in the same period last year.