Tajik President Replaces Interior Minister

Former Tajik Interior Minister Mahmadnazar Solehov

DUSHANBE -- Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has replaced Interior Minister Mahmadnazar Solehov, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.

Rahmon announced the sacking of Solehov at the annual session of the National Security Council and replaced him with Sughd Province police chief Abdurahim Qahorov.

Dushanbe-based analysts told RFE/RL that the decision to replace Solehov may be due to a clash last year in eastern Tajikistan between Tajik special police forces (OMON) and armed groups opposed to Rahmon.

OMON chief Colonel Oleg Zakharchenko was killed in the clash and Rahmon's involvement in the incident was needed to prevent the conflict from escalating.