KULOB, June 5, Asia-Plus - A new charge has been brought against the head of the farming unit “Shams” in the Vose district of Kulob, Shamsiddin Zaripov, who was detained in April on charge of libel.  

On June 2, the Kulob prosecutor’s office brought against him the charge of forgery of documentation (Article 340, Part 2 of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code). 

Using forged documents, Zaripov illegally used 16.5 hectares of farmland, hiring seasonal workers, according to the source.   The source says the “Shams” farm head is also charged with evading payment of taxes.  “All in all, the farm’s debt on paying taxes has amounted to 4.438 million Somonis over the past three years,” the source said.  

The source has also denied statement by Shamsiddin Zaripov that he is allegedly member of the Socialist Party (SPT) as “unfounded.”  B. Islomov, head of the SPT city organization for Kulob, has told Asia-Plus that since the SPT does not have its primary organization in Vose residents of Vose wanting to join the SPT lodge applications to the Kulob city organization of the SPT.  Islomov says Shamsiddin Zaripov has not been registered with the Kulob organization of the SPT.