DUSHANBE, May 22, 2103, Asia-Plus -- A court in Dushanbe’s Firdavsi district has issued the arrest warrant for known Tajik businessman and former industry minister.

An official source at the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption says the court in Dushanbe’s Firdavsi district issued the arrest warrant for Zayd Saidov on May 22.

“Zayd Saidov is currently being held at the temporary detention facility of the anticorruption agency and charges have not yet been officially brought against him,” said the source.  “The charges may be officially brought against him within ten days after his arrest.”

Zayd Saidov, who recently declared the formation of a “New Tajikistan” party, was detained overnight, May 18-19, at the Dushanbe airport upon return from a trip abroad.

On May 20, members of the Dushanbe local council (Majlis) adopted the decision regarding the repeal of parliamentary immunity of Zayd Saidov, upon recommendation of the Prosecutor-General’s Office.  Members of the Dushanbe local council voted unanimously for the repeal of inviolability of Zayd Saidov.

In the evening of the same day Zayd Saidov was transferred to the temporary detention facility of the anticorruption agency.

Local experts consider that the allegations are part of growing pressure against Zayd Saidov by authorities since he announced his political intentions.