DUSHANBE, August 16, 2011, Asia-Plus - On Monday the Dushanbe regional court of Firdavsi region started a new trial in lawsuit brought by Anvar Tagoimurodov (ex head of the Tajik Ministry of Interior’s Organized Crime Control Department who currently acts a Deputy Minister of Interior) against “Asia-Plus” newspaper in which the claimant is trying to protect his honor and dignity and seeking one million Somoni in damages.

According to “Asia-Plus” representative Abdurahmon Sharipov, the judge Saifiddin Kamolov accepted petitions and explained the sides their rights and responsibilities.

Thus, the claimant filed a petition asking the defendant to provide a copy of official request filed to the Tajik Prosecutor’s Office on March 10th, 2011 regarding publication of the “Investigation or inquisition” article dated 21.12.2010.

Representatives of “Asia-Plus” newspaper lodged their petition asking the court not to respond to the aforementioned claim as it was filed with violation of the norms of civil and procedural legislation. In another petition the defendants ask the court to find A.Tagoimurodov an improper claimant in this lawsuit.

The claimant also expressed willingness to sign an agreement on peaceful settlement. The court set this claim aside until the sides lodge the conditions of agreement on peaceful settlement. Next hearing is scheduled for August 17th.