DUSHANBE, June 1, 2016, Asia-Plus – Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reports Tajik law enforcement authorities have dropped the criminal case launched against Najmiddin Saidov, the brother of the Customs Service chief Abdufattoh Ghoib.

The case has reportedly been dropped “for lack of proof.”

An official source at Tajik law enforcement authorities told RFE/RL’s Tajik Service that the preliminary investigation has established that Najmiddin Saidov is not guilty “and two persons, who are currently under investigation for large-scale forgery, just used their acquaintance with him for committing forgery.”

We will recall that reports about detention of Najmiddin Saidov, who is head of Tojik Sodirot Bonk (TSB)’s branch in Khatlon’s Danghara district, appeared on October 16, 2015.

Najmiddin Saidov was detained by officers of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) on suspicion of a large-scale bribery. 

He reportedly acted as mediator in the act of handing over a large amount of money.  According to some sources, Najmiddin Saidov had demanded 600,000 U.S. dollars for the position of the head of the Customs Service’s office in Sughd province.  He was reportedly caught red-handed while taking part of the money.

Later, Najmiddin Saidov was reportedly released after paying a fine of 200,000 somoni.