Two health resorts owned by brothers of president’s son-in-law exempted from paying VAT and tax duties

By government’s decree issued on February 8 Closed Joint Stock Company (CJSC) Shohambari and CJSC Zumrad are exempted from paying VAT and tax duties on dozens of goods, equipment and building (totaling about 90 items) being delivered to the country this year.  

The Customs Service is ordered to provide control and timely movement of these goods across the border.

CJSC Shohambari, which is located in the Hisor district 25 kilometers northwest of Dushanbe, is one of Tajikistan’s largest resort facilities.

In 2016, a full package of shares of this health resort with a total area of more than 17 hectares was sold for 3.1 million somoni (equivalent to some 395,000 U.S. dollars at the then exchange rate) to Rukhafzo-2015 Company.

According to Radio Liberty, one of co-founders of this company is Zainullo Sohibov, the brother  of Shamsullo Sohibov, the son-in-law of President Emomali Rahmon. 

The health resort Zumrad, which was built in the 1970s on the bank of the Isfara River in the Isfara district (Sughd province), is famous for its mineral springs and healing mud throughout Central Asia.

In late 2015, this health resort was sold Somon-Sughd Company for 950,000 somoni.  According to Radio Liberty, Somon-Sughd is owned by Narzullo Sohibov, another brother of Shamsullo Sohibov.