Deputy Mayor of Kulyab suspected of land fraud

The law enforcement agencies have detained the Deputy Chairman of the city of Kulob for construction and land issues, Alisher Bobodjonzoda.

According to available information, he was taken into custody on February 23 on charges of official forgery and illegal distribution of land plots. There have been no official comments from the authorities regarding the detention of the now former deputy mayor.

Radio Ozodi, citing its sources, reports that Bobodjonzoda was detained as part of the investigation into the activities of the former mayor of Kulob, Bakhtiyor Nazarzoda.

Alisher Bobodjonzoda, his relatives, or his lawyer have not commented on this incident at the moment.

Bakhtiyor Nazarzoda was relieved of his duties as mayor of Kulob on January 7 of this year by a decree from President Emomali Rahmon. At that time, Dilovar Pirzoda was appointed as the new chairman of the city. Despite being relieved of his position as mayor, Nazarzoda retained his position as a member of the Majlisi milli (upper house of parliament) and continues to participate in parliamentary work.

His resignation occurred against the backdrop of statements from the prosecutor of the Kulob region, Hamzaali Muzaffirov, who at a press conference last year announced the annulment of 43 decisions made by the city chairman regarding the allocation of land plots.

Alisher Bobodjonzoda is not the only official detained in Tajikistan on charges of forgery and illegal land distribution. Every year, dozens of officials are held accountable for cases related to the illegal sale of land, yet this practice continues.

It should be noted that every year in various regions of the country, law enforcement agencies detain dozens of officials on charges of illegal land transactions, yet the sale of land plots continues. Experts believe that the initiators of corrupt schemes are the officials themselves, who, by receiving bribes or through personal connections, distribute land plots among “necessary people,” while truly needy residents spend years knocking on government doors in hopes of obtaining at least a small plot of land, but end up with nothing.

Corruption and bribery have taken such deep root in all sectors of the country that stopping this process is practically impossible. As experts note, many officials obtain their positions for money, and to recoup their investments, they begin to accept bribes. Thus, corruption starts from the very top, and its eradication seems unrealistic.