ALLEGED EXTORTIONIST GANG UNVEILED IN LENINABAD REGION.

Security forces loyal to Dushanbe report the arrest of a large “extortionist gang” in the city of Hujand, the administrative seat of Leninabad region. Headed by a factory director, the group included fifteen military officers, among them a colonel who served as deputy commander of Internal Affairs Ministry troops in Leninabad region until arrested. Charges against the group include seizure of hostages, who included the first deputy mayor of Hujand, his three brothers and other notables in the region (Russian agencies, October 14). Leninabad region smarts under Dushanbe’s control and often succeeds in undermining it. The incident illustrates the clan infighting and regional tensions in the Tajik government apparatus. These phenomena often overlap with ordinary crime and corruption to the point of becoming indistinguishable.–VS

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