Karimov appoints new interior minister

KAZINFORM January 6 On Thursday president Karimov signed a decree on appointment of Bakhodir Matlyubov as Interior Minister was issued in Uzbekistan. B. Matlyubov held earlier a post of the State Customs Committee chair. He has superceded Zakirdjon Almatov, who headed the Internal Affairs Ministry, practically, since Uzbekistan gained its independence. At the close of December last year he had been forced out for “medical excuse.” He was included in the list of the senior public officials whom the EU forbids the countries as sanctions for Andijan events. Though Almatov contrived to get visa for medical treatment in Germany and stayed there at one of the clinics for some time. The EU states human rights organizations stood for bringing the minister to responsibility. However, Almatov came back home at the year-end and was even awarded when retired. Resignation of an authoritative Interior Minister stirred a lot of guesses there in the country and abroad. 54-year-old Bakhodir Matlyubov is a native of Samarqand. Total years of police service make 30. Until February 2004 he acted as deputy Interior Minister.