President Emomali Rahmon, who is also Head of the Government of Tajikistan, has introduced staff changes to the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. 

An official source within the Ministry of Internal Affairs says Shohrukh Saidzoda, who had previously served as Head of the Interior Ministry Criminal Investigation Directorate, has been appointed to head the Dushanbe Police Directorate, replacing Barotali Saidzoda. 

The source refrained from giving further details. 

Shohrukh Saidzoda had served as Head of the Interior Ministry Criminal Investigation Directorate since June 2017.  Prior to this he had served as Deputy Head of this Directorate since late February 2016. 

He is member of the Football Federation of Tajikistan and President of the FC Istiqlol.

The 38-year-old Shohrukh Saidov is known as close friend to President Rahmon’s son, Rustam Emomali, who is now Mayor of Dushanbe also Head of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament).

Shohrukh Saidzoda and  Rustam Emomali reportedly studied together at school and university.

In his interview with VIPzone magazine, Shohrukh Saidzoda said in 2014 that he graduated from the Faculties of Economic and Law at Tajik National University and took special courses in Moscow on providing security for VIPs and safety of strategic facilities.

Meanwhile, the Tajik president’s official website says the president also replaced regional police officials.  Thus, chiefs of the Interior Ministry’s Offices in Sughd province and in the Rasht group of districts (Rasht Valley in eastern Tajikistan) have been replaced.  

Besides, in coordination with the president chiefs of police stations in Dushanbe’s Sino and Firdavsi districts, GBAO’s Darvoz district, the cities of Khujand and Istiqlo as well as Kuhistoni Mastchoh and Devashtich districts in Sughd province, the city of Nurek and Khuroson, Vakhsh, Qubodiyon, Jaihoun and Panj districts in Khatlon province, the city of Roghun and Faizobod, Hisor and Shahrinav districts subordinate to the center have been replaced. 

According to the Tajik president’s official website, President Emomali Rahmon met with newly appointed police officials on June 7.  The head of state reportedly set before them tasks to combat crime, terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking.  They are also required to know foreign languages, be able to use digital technologies, have professional knowledge and skills and be physically fit.