A new benefit has been granted to the president’s matchmaker

The company controlled by Beg Sabur received a deferment on its debt repayment.

Photo: Internet

The government of Tajikistan has granted a new benefit to OJSC “Tajiktelecom” – a company controlled by the Communications Service under the government of Tajikistan, headed by Beg Sabur, the brother-in-law of President Emomali Rahmon.

The country’s government approved a resolution dated December 22, 2022, according to which the payment of the company’s tax debt of over 67 million somoni (about 6.7 million dollars) has been postponed for another year. Of this amount, over 24 million somoni or 2.4 million dollars consist of interest and penalties on the debt.

OJSC “Tajiktelecom” is a monopoly in internet supply in Tajikistan; however, in recent years it has not been in very good financial condition and has debts not only to tax authorities but also to other companies.

Radio Ozodi reports that earlier lawsuits against Tajiktelecom were filed by the city electric networks of Dushanbe and the mobile operator Tcell.

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

Since the head of the Communications Service, Beg Sabur, is also the brother-in-law of President Emomali Rahmon, it is natural that he automatically benefits from the privileges granted by the government.

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 involved in construction and real estate sales, or as he himself says, 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 pumpkins and onions.

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