Tajikistan Checks Claims Over Stolen German Cars

The German daily "Bild" reported that most of the stolen cars are now owned by people connected to President Emomali Rahmon.

Tajikistan's Foreign Ministry says it is looking into claims by German media that some 200 stolen cars from Germany have been tracked down in Tajikistan.

The ministry cast doubts on the claim on December 20, saying "German cars cross several state borders before reaching Tajikistan" and that "any falsified documents would have been discovered by customs services on those borders."

The German daily "Bild" reported that most of the stolen cars are now owned by people connected to President Emomali Rahmon.

"Bild" said the cars were located in Tajikistan through the vehicles' GPS tracking systems.

Tajikistan's Embassy in Berlin dismissed the allegation as unfounded.

The embassy said it had in the past asked Berlin to provide information from its database of stolen cars to Tajik authorities to prevent their illegal import into Tajikistan.

Based on reporting by AsiaPlus, AFP, and RFE/RL's Tajik Service