Tajik President's Brother-In-Law Shot Dead

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon's brother-in-law Kholmumin Safarov

DUSHANBE -- Police in Tajikistan say President Emomali Rahmon's brother-in-law has been shot dead in Dushanbe.

According to officials, Kholmumin Safarov, 57, was found dead after being shot in the head several times by unknown assailants on June 13.

The shooting is reported to have occurred as he was returning to his home after evening prayers at a nearby mosque.

No further details were given, and police said the investigation is continuing.

A native of Tajikistan's southern Vose district, Safarov, the husband of Rahmon's eldest sister, had been serving as chief of the Tajik government's forest and hunting agency.

While many of the president's relatives control major Tajik companies and banks, Safarov wasn't known to be involved in big business.