DUSHANBE , February 21, Asia-Plus - The trial of Fayzinisso Vohidova, member of board of Tajikistan ’s Social-Democratic Party (SDPT) and former chairperson of the Khujand legal advice office, began in Khujand on February 20, Asia-Plus has learned at the Sughd prosecutor’s office.

As it had been reported earlier, Ms. Fayzinisso Vohidova is accused of holding fake qualification.  On October 13 2005 , the Sughd regional prosecutor’s office instituted criminal proceedings against Ms. Fayzinisso Vohidova, the head of the Khujand legal advice office, under Article 340, Part 2, of Tajikistan ’s Criminal Code (forgery, production and sale of forged documents).  Sughd prosecutor’s office claims that using a fake diploma KV No 989573 of August 1 1986 , which was allegedly given her by Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, she worked as lawyer from 1988 to October 12 2005 .

The SDPT leadership has repeatedly stated that this case is politically motivated.  Last year, Ms. Vohidova was nominated as candidate to stand for election to Tajikistan ’s lower chamber of parliament but the electoral commission refused to register her.  Besides, Ms. Vohidova is also known in Tajikistan as human rights activist, according to the SDPT activists.