Tajik President's Son To Head Customs Service Department

Rustam Emomali

The eldest son of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon was named to a senior position within the State Customs Service, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.

A Tajik Customs Committee official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told RFE/RL that Rustam Emomali was appointed to head the committee's department to combat illegal activities after incumbent Amirkhon Ibodov retired.

A Tajik State University graduate, Emomali, who is 23, previously served as an adviser on the State Committee on Investments and State Property. In 2010, he was elected a member of the Dushanbe city council.

In 2009, Emomali was elected a deputy in the Union of Tajik Youth, and in December of that year he was elected a member of the Central Committee of the ruling National Democratic Party of Tajikistan.

Emomali also plays soccer for Tajikistan's Istiklol club, of which he is a sponsor. He is simultaneously a member of the International Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia and a deputy head of Tajikistan's Football Federation.

Rahmon also appointed his daughter, Ozoda Rahmonova, a deputy foreign minister last year.

Read more in Tajik here