DUSHANBE, July 2, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Construction of home for Atovullo Raqibov’s family has begun in the village of Miskinobod, Fayzobod district.

Atovullo Raqibov told Asia-Plus on Saturday that the local authorities have granted him a land certificate for eight hundred square meters and the Islamic Revival Party (IRP) leader Atovullo Raqibov has sent them a consignment of building materials, including 4 tons of cement, nails, fittings, etc.

“The work is in full swing and builders plan to finish the house before the cold weather comes,” Atovullo Raqibov said, noting that it will be the one-storey house with four rooms.

We will recall that in August 2009, the local council ordered the demolition of Raqibov''s house on the grounds that it was illegally built on the route of a planned highway.

In September 2010, Raqibov and his family sought to prevent the demolition and a window of a bulldozer was smashed during the ensuing confrontation. The local prosecutor accused Raqibov, his two sisters, and his wife of hooliganism and opened a criminal investigation.

The Fayzobod court began hearings in Raqibov''s case in April, but he failed to appear in court and on April 13 the judge ordered his arrest.

On April 28, the Fayzobod court put Atovullo Raqibov, his wife Gulru Ibodova, and his two sisters, Mohikalon Raqibova and Saida Raqibova, on one year’s probation.

Raqibov''s case was covered by the media because they staged several unsuccessful protests in front of the presidential office, the ombudsman''s office, and the UN building in Dushanbe.