DUSHANBE, May 22, Asia-Plus - Yemen’s Al-Ayam reported today morning that Tajik physician and two local nurses were arrested by security authorities of Yemen’s province of Shabwa last Saturday for allegedly providing medical aid to one of supporters of armed rebellion, who is accused of having killed high-ranking security officer of Yemen’s province of Mareb.

To make the situation clear, Asia-Plus today got in touch by telephone with Saidahmad Bekov, the head of mission of physicians of Russia’s Tekhstroyexport working in Yemen.

Bekov, who is also Tajik national, confirmed that a 44-year-old Tajik anesthetist Juma Rajabov was detained on May 19.  He told Asia-Plus that Rajabov had got a job in Yemen as anesthetist through the Tekhstroyexport company.   

Bekov denied report by Al-Ayam that Rajabov had allegedly been arrested fro providing medical aid to the supporter of the armed rebellion as “unfounded.” 

According to him, Rajabov was detained when he was trying to purchase anesthetic medicine at one of drugstores without appropriate prescription.  “Druggists have apparently found his behavior suspicious and informed local security officers about him.” 

Bekov noted that by demand of Yemeni Health Minister Abdel Kerim Yahya Rasea and Trade Unions of Medical Workers of Shabwa the Tajik physician will be released within the next few hours.  

Rajabov has worked in Yemen for two years.  

In the meantime, Tajik MFA said that they are aware of this incident but are not going to make any statement on this subject.