DUSHANBE, May 7, Asia-Plus - Dodojon Atovulloyev, editor-in-chief of Charoghi Rouz , a monthly publication about Tajikistan and its relations with Russia, has denied report that he was allegedly detained at the Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow for an attempt to illegally transport 350,000 euros to Germany as “unfounded.” 

In his telephone conversation with Asia-Plus, Atovulloyev confirmed that he was detained at the Sheremetyevo airport on May 4 for not declaring all amount of money he had with him.  “But it was much less than 350,000 euros,” the Charoghi Rouz editor said, noting that report by Kholiqnazar Jumayev, the correspondent of Tajikistan’s Center for Journalistic Investigation in Moscow, is “ whether a small provocation or a large misunderstanding.”  Atovulloyev added that the amount was not more than $10,000.  “I was released immediately after declaring the whole amount I had with me,” Atovulloyev said.

Kholiqnazar Jumayev, the correspondent of Tajikistan’s Center for Journalistic Investigation in Moscow, on May 5 sent a message to Asia-Plus’ correspondent, in which he noted that Dodojon Atovulloyev was detained at the Sheremetyevo airport on May 4 for an attempt to illegally transport 350,000 euros to Dusseldorf.  According to Jumayev, Atovulloyev was released after interference of his Moscow friends.

The Tajik Embassy in Moscow said that they do not have any information about that.