Murder Case Of Tajik President's Relative Reportedly 'Top Secret'

DUSHANBE -- The investigation into the murder of a relative of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has reportedly been classified as "top secret."

Holmumin Safarov, the 57-year-old husband of Rahmon's eldest sister, was shot dead in June near his home in the capital, Dushanbe.

In July, Tajik authorities arrested Dushanbe-based businessman Dilovarsho Kosimov as a suspect.

Kosimov's lawyer, Shuhrat Kudratov, told RFE/RL on December 10 that the investigation is being conducted "behind closed doors" and has been designated "top secret."

According to Kudratov, the investigators have filed 19 volumes of documents related to the murder, but the contents of the documents are unknown.

Kudratov says his client insists that he had nothing to do with the murder.

Tajikistan's prosecutor-general has said the investigation is under the personal control of President Rahmon.