DUSHANBE, June 14, 2013, Asia-Plus – Former industry minister’s health condition has reportedly deteriorated.

“In a note to his relatives, Zayd Saidov says he urgently needs a doctor because his health conditions is continuing to deteriorate,” Saidov’s defense lawyer, Shuhrat Qudratov, told Asia-Plus in an interview.

Zayd Saidov is now held at the pretrial detention facility of State Committee for National Security (SCNS) and according to Qudratov, the SCNS-run pretrial detention facility does not have a doctor.  “Only a medical assistant work with the SCNS-run pretrial detention facility and he will scarcely be able to provide a proper medical aid to Zayd Saidov,” the lawyer noted.

“Zayd Saidov has suffered from stomach ulcer and his health condition has deteriorated in recent days without proper medical supervision and treatment,” Qudratov added.

We will recall that Zayd Saidov, the leader of Tajikistan''s unregistered New Tajikistan party, was detained on May 19 on charges of corruption.  He has been stripped of his parliamentary immunity.

On May 22, a court in Dushanbe’s Firdavsi district issued the arrest warrant for Zayd Saidov.  He was ordered held in pretrial detention for up to two months.  The court also ruled that Zayd Saidov cannot be released on bail.

Saidov denies any wrongdoing and says his case is politically motivated.  According to Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service, he said during the court hearing on May 22 that he is being persecuted for his decision last month to set up his new political party.