According to the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption under the President of Tajikistan, the criminal case against Agroinvestbonk employees, which was suspended in 2022, has been reopened. 

The case was initially launched over five years ago, leading to interrogation of former Agroinvestbonk chairman Murodali Alimardon and detention of his brother and several bank employees, some of whom were held accountable.

After nearly three years of suspension, the case had been revived.  The head of theinvesitgative department of the anticorruption agency Nasriddin Nizomzoda told reporters: "The investigation was suspended because some suspects were in hiding. They have now been located, and the case has been resumed to ensure full recovery of the remaining financial damages.  The full amount will be returned in the coming days, after which a final decision will be made."

However, the anticorruption agency declined to disclose the identities or positions of those who had been avoiding arrest, citing the large number of detainees.

Background of the case

The investigation into Agroinvestbonk employees began in 2019, leading to the detention and questioning of bank staff and management.

In 2021, the head of Barakat Company Parda Alimardonov, who is brother of the former head of Agroinvestbonk Murodali Alimardon, was arrested.  He was accused of embezzling over 90 million somonis but was released after repaying the funds.

Also in 2021, Farukh Taghoymurodov, former chairman of Agroinvestbonk, was arrested for illegally issuing loans worth over 37 million somonis.  He, too, was freed after repaying the amount.

In 2019, the anticorruption agency confirmed that Murodali Alimardon had been questioned regarding loan funds, though he was officially treated as a witness in the case.

A powerful figure in Tajikistan

Murodali Alimardon had previously served as Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT) and First Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan.  

He was one of the most influential figures in the government.

Companies involved in credit misuse

The anticorruption agency also stated that, apart from Barakat, several other companies were implicated in the misuse of Agroinvestbonk’s credit funds: Hima; Ganch Holdings; Khujand Invest Cotton; and Cotton Textile.

Authorities are now working to recover the remaining funds and bring the case to a final resolution.