DUSHANBE, April 25, Asia-Plus - More than 48,000 piratical CDs and DVDs have been confiscated in Dushanbe over the past week alone, deputy chief of Tajik tax police, Qurbon Abdunazarov, announced at a briefing in Dushanbe on Tuesday [April 25].

According to him, raids made by officers from Tajik tax police shops selling audio and video products has led to closure of some 100 such shops in Tajik capital.  According to him, the confiscated product has been submitted for examination.   

“I believe the major part of the confiscated CDs and DVDs are forged and unlicensed,” Abdunazarov said, adding that if it is confirmed all the illegal product will be destroyed and measures will be introduced against shops’ owners in accordance with the country’s legislation.  the  

In the “Gorbushka” shop alone, 21,000 of audio and video products were confiscated, according to him.  “Of a total amount of audio and video products stockpiled in this shop, only 1,500 have licenses and the shop managers have promised to submit documents of other 6,500 CDs and DVDs within the next few days,” Tajik tax police official said.   

According to him, the raids to reveal counterfeit audio and video products have been made in the republic for the first time.  “Henceforth, such raids will be regular,” Abdunazarov said, noting that next week they will carry out such inspections in Khatlon and Sughd provinces.