KHUJAND, February 22, Asia-Plus - The 30-year-old resident of the Bobojonghafurov district in Sughd province Abdurrasul Abduqodirov has been detained in the northern city of Chkalovsk on suspicion of having been involved in activity of the banned religious “Hizb ut-Tahrir” organization. 

The source in the Sughd police directorate has told Asia-Plus that the preliminary investigation established that Abduqodirov has been member of the “Hizb ut-Tahrir” party since 2000.  when searching his house police found a large number of subversive literature, computers, CDs containing materials about the Hizb ut-Tahrir activity in the region till February 15 2006 , as well as financial reports about the party’s activity. 

The Sughd prosecutor’s office has brought charges against Abdurrasul Abduqodirov under Article 307 of Tajik Criminal Code – organizing activity of extremist group.  

In February 2006 alone, 12 residents of Sughd province were arrested on suspicion of being members of the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, according to the source.  17 alleged activists of this party, including six women, have been detained in northern Tajikistan since the beginning of the year.