The criminal case of former Khujand State University Rector Ayub Usmonzoda, sentenced to seven years in prison, is directly connected to the case of former Dean of the Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, Parviz Rouzizoda, the Chairman of the Khujand City Court, Dilovar Mirzohomidzoda, told reporters in Khujand on August 8.

According to Mirzohomidzoda, the rector received a bribe from Rouzizoda in exchange for appointing him as dean.  Usmonzoda was found guilty under Article 319 (4) of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code — accepting a large bribe, and was additionally banned from holding leadership positions in educational institutions — regardless of ownership form — for five years.  The court did not disclose the exact amount or date of the bribe.

Usmonzoda was detained on March 11, 2025, by security officials in Sughd province.  At the time, his wife told Asia-Plus that her husband was innocent and expressed confidence that “the truth will come out.”

The sentencing comes after the earlier arrest of Dean Parviz Rouzizoda.  On June 13, Rouzizoda was found guilty of accepting a bribe (Article 319) from an official and committing acts of sexual violence (Article 139).  He was sentenced to 17 years in prison but died the same day in a pre-trial detention center, reportedly from heart disease, shortly after the state prosecutor’s closing statement. His lawyer and family have filed an appeal, which is currently under review.

Khujand State University has been at the center of repeated corruption scandals.  Last month, Safar Salimzoda, head of the Anti-Corruption Agency’s regional office in Sughd province, called the Khujand State University “a corrupt institution,” saying at least 49 corruption-related crimes had been uncovered there.  Five staff members are currently facing criminal charges, though no verdicts have yet been announced.