DUSHANBE, February 12, 2015, Asia-Plus - Trial of new charges brought against a jailed Tajik businessman, Zayd Saidov, began on February 12.

“Today, the trial was held behind closed doors at the pretrial detention facility of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) and the trial will continue on February 16,” Ishoq Tabarov, a defense lawyer for Zayd Saidov, told Asia-Plus in an interview.

According to him, the judge will make a decision on February 16 whether the next hearing will be open to the public and media or not.

As it had been reported earlier, Zayd Saidov lodged an application to the Supreme Court of Tajikistan on February 6, demanding an open trail of new charges brought against him.

“The new case consisting of 75 volumes includes forgery, abuse of office, embezzlement, money laundering and tax evasion,” Tabarov said.

The new criminal case against the jailed Tajik businessman moved to a court in Dushanbe last month.

The anticorruption agency brought new charges against Zayd Saidov, including embezzlement or misappropriation of funds and forgery of documents, in July last year.

We will recall that Zayd Saidov, 56, was sentenced to 26 years'' imprisonment on December 25, 2013 after being convicted of financial fraud, polygamy, and sexual relations with a minor.

Zayd Saidov maintains innocence and his supporters say the case against Zayd Saidov was politically motivated.