Tajik President Sacks Railways Chief Amid Crash Controversy

Rasuli Amonullo, the 16-year-old son of Tajik Railways director Amonullo Hukumatullo, seen in an undated photo

DUSHANBE -- Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has sacked the chief of the Tajik Railways Company (RIT) amid an ongoing controversy over the alleged involvement of the latter's son in a deadly driving incident.

The RIT's press service announced that Amonullo Hukumatullo (aka Hukumov), a relative of the Tajik president, has been replaced by Asad Zoirov.

In October, three people were killed in a crash during nighttime car racing in Dushanbe.

Such races often involve the children of the country's elite.

Reports said Hukumatullo's 16-year-old son, Rasul Amonullo, bore responsiblity for the crash.

The reports caused a public outcry.

Investigators later claimed Amonullo was only a passenger.

Hukumatullo publicly attacked the media for what he called the "lies" about his son.

The current state of the investigation is unclear.