DUSHANBE, March 14, 2014, Asia-Plus – The Interior Ministry has paid 46,500 somoni (1.00 USD = 4.80 Somoni) to the widow of Safarali Sangov, who died after he was allegedly beaten by police.

Lawyer Gulchehra Kholmatova, who represented Sangov’s family in court, says the money was remitted to the bank account of Ms. Davaltkhonim Himatova, the widow of Safarali Sangov, on February 26 this year.

We will recall that Safarali Sangov, 37, died after he was arrested on drug-related charges in March 2011.

Police initially said Sangov injured himself while trying to commit suicide.  Sangov''s relatives insisted he had been severely beaten while in custody.

A public outcry led to the arrest of two police officers, who were charged with negligence leading to Sangov''s death.  Both policemen were freed under a general amnesty decree in October 2012 before a trial could take place.

On March 15, 2013, a court in Dushanbe''s Sino district ordered the Interior Ministry to pay 46,500 somoni to Sangov''s widow.

In May last year, the Dushanbe city court upheld the Sino district court’s decision.