Rahmon prepared a special gift for his son-in-law for Independence Day

The government of Tajikistan has written off 135 million somoni (12.7 million dollars) owed by companies under the Communications Service.

The government of Tajikistan, in its resolution, recognized the tax debts of OJSC “Tajiktelecom” and the State Unitary Enterprise “Center for Electromagnetic Compatibility and Radio Monitoring” of the Communications Service, which have accumulated over an unknown period, as hopeless and decided to write them off.

Thus, the government of Tajikistan has written off tax debts, fines, and interest totaling approximately 135 million somoni (12.7 million dollars) for two companies controlled by Rahmon’s son-in-law Beg Sabur.

Of this amount, 97.4 million somoni (9.1 million dollars) were written off for OJSC “Tajiktelecom,” and 37.4 million somoni (3.5 million dollars) for the State Unitary Enterprise “Center for Electromagnetic Compatibility and Radio Monitoring.”

Both companies are subordinate to the Communications Service under the government of Tajikistan. The head of this service is the well-known admirer of “powerful business,” Rahmon’s brother-in-law Beg Sabur.

This is not the first instance where the government provides special benefits to Beg Sabur. Earlier, in December 2022, the government granted a deferral of over 67 million somoni (6.7 million dollars) in tax debt for OJSC “Tajiktelecom” for a period of up to one year. Despite this, Beg Sabur has not repaid his company’s debt. Ultimately, the government recognized the tax debts as hopeless and wrote them off.

At the same time, “Tajiktelecom,” “Tajik Post,” and other subordinate structures of the Communications Service reported a profit of 124 million somoni (11.6 million dollars) for the first half of the year, which is 35.5% more than in the same period last year.

Typically, companies owned by relatives of the president enjoy special privileges. For example, the “Ismoili Somoni” hotel in Dushanbe belongs to the brothers-in-law of Emomali Rahmon. It was expected that the hotel construction would be completed in one and a half years, but it has already lasted 15 years. The hotel is exempt from taxes and customs duties almost every year.

Additionally, companies such as “Avesto Group,” “Sifat Pharma,” “Amiri,” and others controlled by close relatives of the president receive special preferences from the state.

Despite the benefits and preferences, these companies are known for their low-quality and expensive services.

In particular, OJSC “Tajiktelecom” has been a monopoly in internet import for over 10 years, which is the main reason for the high cost of internet services. Due to numerous complaints and criticism, Emomali Rahmon instructed his brother-in-law to resolve the internet issue during a government meeting.

However, experts in information technology believe that the main reason for the expensive internet and mobile communication is the monopolization of the communication sector by Beg Sabur and his team. It was after Bek Sabur, the relative of Emomali Rahmon, took over the Communications Service under the government of Tajikistan that the quality of the internet noticeably deteriorated, prices increased, and Tajikistan ranked last in Central Asia in terms of mobile internet accessibility.

Beg Sabur is mainly known for his absurd comments and scandalous decisions, including blocking websites, cutting off internet access, and raising prices for SIM cards.

He is also the only official who openly engages in real estate construction and sales, or as he himself puts it, is involved in business. In the past, he forced employees of the communications service to work on his construction sites. In 2018, most of his employees went several months without pay, and before the Kurban holiday, instead of money, they were given a pumpkin and onions.

The former mayor of the city of Kulob, Inoyatzoda Bakhram, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after he prohibited the construction of residential houses for Beg Sabur’s son.