DUSHANBE, June 6, Asia-Plus - “Masoud Sobirov is not chairman of the Democratic Party and even not member of the party any longer,” Rahmatullo Valiyev, deputy head of the Mahmadruzi Iskandarov-led wing of the Democratic Party (DPT), announced at a briefing in Dushanbe on June 5.  

He reminded that Masoud Sobirov was elected as a new leader of the DPT at a disputed party congress that was held in Dushanbe on August 27, 2006.  Valiyev noted that the election and congress had been illegitimate.  “Moreover, many participants of that congress even were not members of the party,” said Valiyev, “That is to say that the congress was held in contrary to the party’s charter.” 

He added that the party congress that was held on January 14 this year charged Masoud Sobirov with inaction and removed him, and Saidjaffar Ismonov was elected as new leader of the party.  “Two thirds of the party’s board have gone over to Ismonov,” said Valiyev, “Thus, Sobirov has to date been left without board and primary organizations.”    

“Later, the DPT primary organization, with which Sobirov was registered, also removed him, finding his actions illegitimate,” Valiyev said, noting that the DPT district conference endorsed that decision of the primary organization.

We will recall that justice ministry (MoJ) said that the January 14 congress was held in violation of the party''s charter and Tajik law, and noted that it will continue recognizing Sobirov as the party''s legitimate leader.

Speaking to journalists, Valiyev noted that the party does not have any wings and “there is only one party led by Mahmadruzi Iskandarov.”  “We want to unite because only unification will save the party,” said Valiyev, “Sobirov has also announced his intention to unite with us, but we cannot agree because he is not member of the party.”   

“We are with those who recognize the party’s charter and program,” said Valiyev, “We plan to hold district, city and regional conferences and convene the next congress of the party in 2008.” 

Valiyev also described a May 14 verdict of a court in Dushnabe’s Shohmansour district as unjust. 

We will recall that the court refused the Iskandarov-led party’s application against Sobirov.  According to Regnum, the court ruled to give the wing headed by jailed leader Mahmadruzi Iskandarov one month to transfer its property to the party’s wing run by Masoud Sobirov.

Valiyev said that they will appeal to the city court.

The party split after Masoud Sobirov formed a separate faction in April 2006, which the MoJ recognized as the official DPT in October 2006.