Tajik Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda has reportedly defended his doctoral thesis in law. 

Ramazon Rahimzoda defended his doctoral thesis on the theme economic crime in Tajikistan at the Scientific Council of Tajik National University on December 29, a source at the Scientific Council of Tajik National University told Asia-Plus Wednesday afternoon. 

Despite his professional background as a veterinarian and lawyer, Rahimzoda, 58, is apparently no stranger to writing.

He has written numerous poems that were published in Tajik media in recent years using the pen name Nihoni, Tajik for "hidden."

Some of the minister's poems are dedicated to President Rahmon, while others are on random topics, such the importance of the country's key Roghun hydroelectric power plant (HPP), or the role of horses in people's lives.

The ode dedicated to President Emomali Rahmon -- In Praise Of The Leader Of The Nation -- describes the president as the “king of kings,” the “savior of the nation,” the power behind the country's “achievements,” and the “guarantor of its future.”

The encomiastic poem flattering Rahmon has since been turned into a song, performed jointly by prominent singer Surayo Qosimova along with her two daughters and son-in-law.

Rahimzoda made news in 2017 when he ordered police and other Interior Ministry workers to attend a theater performance at least once a month.

In December 2016, Rahimzoda warned overweight police officers to lose excess weight or face losing their jobs.  Six months later, more than 100 police officers who missed the deadline to get into shape were dismissed.

Colonel-General Ramazon Rahimzoda is a Tajikistani politician.  He joined the Soviet Ministry of Internal Affairs in 1983.  Rahimzoda was appointed to the position of Minister of Internal Affairs on January 5, 2012.